Monstera lentii Croat & Grayum, Phytologia

Croat, Thomas B., Cedeño-Fonseca, Marco & Ortiz, Orlando O., 2024, Revision of Monstera (Araceae: Monsteroideae) of Central America, Phytotaxa 656 (1), pp. 1-197 : 105

28. Monstera lentii Croat & Grayum, Phytologia 82: 46. 1997. ( Figs. 49 , 50 )

Type: — COSTA RICA. Cartago: 10 km S of Cartago by air, along confluence of Río Empalme and Río Estrella , 1 km S of Palo Verde by road, 1450 m, R.L. Liesner & E.J. Judziewicz 14549 (holotype MO!, isotype RSA).

Robust nomadic vine, appressed-climbing habit. SEEDLINGS: bearing foliage leaves. JUVENILE PLANTS: root climbers; stems dark green, smooth, cylindrical; internodes 3–10 cm long, 2–5 mm diam.; petiole visible, dark or light green, smooth, 8–14 cm long, sheathed to base of the geniculum; petiole sheath persistent; blades obovate, subcordate to truncate at base, acuminate at apex, subcoriaceous, 8–14 × 7–11 cm, not appressed to the phorophyte, collective veins distinct; fenestrations absent or present. ADULT PLANTS: root climbers; stems light green, dark or light brown, smooth, cylindrical; internodes 2–4(35) cm long, 1.0– 3.5 cm diam., 0.5–1.1 times as long as wide; cataphylls light green, deciduous but leaving dry fragments on the peduncle; anchor roots black; feeder roots light-brown; petiole light green or strongly speckled with white dots, smooth, 25–75 cm long, sheathed to base of the geniculum; petiole sheath persistent, revolute, open or closed; geniculum smooth, slightly sulcate adaxially, convex abaxially, 1.0– 2.5 cm long; blades ovate to oblong, broadly cuneate to rounded or subcordate at base, acuminate at apex, subcoriaceous, drying reddish, black with reddish dots, light-brown or shiny-black, 25–60 × 17–45 cm, 1.4–1.6 times longer than broad, decurrent on geniculum, decurrent portion 1–3 mm wide; midrib ribbed adaxially, convex abaxially, drying reddish, light brown, or black on both surfaces; primary lateral veins 10–25 per side, forked or trifurcated, sunken adaxially, strongly prominent abaxially, departing midrib at 65–75°, drying reddish, black or light brown; secondary veins parallel, reticulate towards the margin, undulate in most of its length when dry; collective veins not visible; fenestrations absent or present, arranged along the midrib; margins entire, pinnatilobed or deeply pinnatifid, with 2–9 lobes per side of 2–15 cm wide. INFLORESCENCES on ascending stems, 2–4 simultaneously at flowering time, arranged in the axils of the leaves or into cataphylls; peduncle smooth, 7–25 cm long; spathe acuminate, light green during development, yellowish green externally and white internally at anthesis, completely open at apex, light-brown, marcescent at the end of anthesis, 12–20 × 6–10 cm, up to 10 cm longer than the spadix; spadix white during development, cream at anthesis, 5–15 × 1–4 cm, 3.5–5.0 cm times longer than wide; basal sterile flowers 4–5 mm long, with a rust-red stigmatic secretion; fertile flowers 5–8 mm long; stamens 2–7 mm long, with laminar filaments; anthers 1.5–2.0 mm long; ovary flattened, rectangular in longitudinal section, ribbed, 4–5 × 2–3 mm; style hexagonal, 4–5 × 3–4 mm; stigmatophore strongly conical, slender, 2–5 mm long; stigma circular, with a transparent stigmatic secretion; berries with a light-green stylar cap during development, mature stylar cap creamy-yellow; pulp white; seeds black with reddish dots, globose, 4–6 mm long.

Distribution and ecology: — Monstera lentii ranges from Costa Rica to western Panamá, and closely along the continental divide, north of the Cordillera de Talamanca, at 1050–1650 m, in Premontane rain forest life zones.

Phenology: —Flowering has been recorded in February–April, July, and December, and fruiting in FebruaryMarch, July–August, and November.

Discussion: —The species, a member of sect. Monstera , is characterized by its petiole mottled or light green, the petiolar sheath persistent with open wings, the leaf blade entire or pinnatilobed with few fenestrations, externally yellowish spathe and slender flowers toward base with circular stigma, elevated by strongly and narrowly conical stigmatophore (a unique characteristic among species of the genus).

Previously, Monstera lentii was confused with M. dissecta , but the latter is distinguished by the conical form of the stigmatophores and its distribution in cloud forests in the Pacific sector of the Talamanca mountain range.

Populations of Monstera lentii in the foothills of the Turrialba Volcano have white or speckled petioles, pinnatilobed leaf blades without fenestrations, the spadix stipitate for 1–2 cm and without a region of sterile flowers, and cylindrical stigmatophore with round stigma. These populations could represent a different species, as the populations around the type locality and the Central Valley do not have these characteristics. The populations in western Panama are separated by a considerable distance from those in Costa Rica and Panamanian specimens have stigmas which dry yellowish and have leaf blades that are often more noticeably pinnatifid adult blades with lobles up to 2–4 cm wide, but these differences would not seem sufficient for recognition at the species level.

Additional specimens examined: — COSTA RICA. Cartago: El Guarco, San Isidro, 10 km Sof Cartago by air, Along Confluence of rio Empalme and rio Estrella, 1 km S of Palo Verde by road, Paloverde is 1.5 km S of Panamerican High way on road to Estrella, 1450 m, 21 April 1983, (Fr.), R. Liesner & E. Judziewicz 14549 ( CR!) ; Cartago, Llano Grande , Z.P. Río Tiribí, Zona de bosque de jaúl, 1826 m, 10 August 2009, (Fl.), S. Lobo et al. 2467 ( CR!) ; Along road between Moravia and Quebrada Platanillo , 3–5 km from Finca Racine in Moravia, Disturbed primary forest (marketable lumber trees removed), 30 June 1976, (Fr.), T.B. Croat 36615 ( CR!, MO!); La Unión , San Rafael, Z.P. Cerros de La Carpintera , Laderas hacia Tres Ríos, 1560 m, 23 January 2007, (Fr.), A. Cascante & J. Sánchez 1670 ( CR, USJ) ; Paraíso, En bosque secundario del que se abastece de agua a la ciudad, 24 October 1986, (Infer.), R. Hernández 861024 ( CR!) ; El Guarco , San Isidro , Hills above El Muñeco, along Río Sombrero, disturbed forest, 1500 m, 28 July 1983, (Infer.), K. Barringer & E. Christenson 4144 ( CR!, MO!); R.F. Río Macho , Sendero número 4. 1400 m, 26 March 1992, (Fl.), V. Nilsson & R. Manfredi 125 ( CR!) ; Paraíso, En bosque secundario del que se abastece de agua a la ciudad, 24 October 1986, (Infer.), R. Hernández 86102412 ( CR!) ; Paraíso, Orosi, R.F. Río Macho, Sendero Atraz da casa, lado oeste para a direita, 1250 m, 30 April 1993, (Fl.), V. Nilsson et al. 345 ( CR!) ; La Unión , San Diego, Z.P. Cerros de La Carpintera, Bosque del campo Escuela Istarú de los Scouts, 750 m, 3 August 2006, (Fl.), A. Cascante et al. 1608 ( CR!) ; Cartago, San Nicolás , Z.P. La Carpintera, Propiedad de Campo Escuela Iztarú, Bosque por canchas al sur del área administrativ, 1623 m, 19 July 2007, (Fr.), A. Cascante 1775 ( CR!) ; La Unión , Dulce Nombre, Z.P. Río Tiribí, Faja de bosque ripario, alrededores de puesto Pizote (AyA), 1600 m, 23 April 2008, (Fl.), A. Cascante & A. Quesada 1925 ( CR!) ; Paraíso, Orosi, P.N. Tapantí, Margen izquierda Río Grande de Orosí, Estribaciones Alto Peralta , 1800 m, 17 December 1992, (Fl.), G. Herrera 5766 ( CR!) ; Paraíso, Orori, Sendero La Pavas, 1400 m, 7 March 2000, (Fr.), L. Acosta 543 ( CR!) ; Paraíso, Orori, Estacion Tapanti, camino Alto Patillos, cerca del mirador, Sendero Los Palmitos, 1350 m, 21 July 1994, (Fl.), D. Garcia 340 ( CR!, MO!); Paraíso, Orori, Rio Humo , Camino al túnel, 1600 m, 20 July 1994, (Fr.), E. Lepiz 489 ( CR!) ; Paraíso, Orori, Sector Quebrada Segunda, 1300 m, 1 February 1995, (Fl.), G. Mora 501 ( CR!) ; Paraíso, Orori , Estacion Tapanti, Rio Grande de Orosi, Sector a Segunda, 300 m, 13 March 1995, (Fr.), G. Mora 568 ( CR!) ; Turrialba , Along camino Raíz de Hule, 1200–1400 m, 1 July 1976, (Fr.), T.B. Croat 36723 ( MO!) ; Turrialba , Along camino Raíz de Hule, 1200–1400 m, 1 July 1976, (Fl.), T.B. Croat 36748 ( MO!) ; Turrialba, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz de Turrialba, hacia Bajos Bonilla, 1931 m, 19 December 2019, (Fr.), M. Cedeño et al. 1628 ( USJ!) ; Turrialba, Chirripo, Moravia de Chirripó, bosque primario, 1196 m, 21 December 2019, (Fr.), M. Cedeño et al. 1635 ( USJ!) ; Turrialba, Chirripo, Moravia de Chirripó, bosque primario, 196 m, 22 December 2019, (Fr.), M. Cedeño et al. 1636 ( USJ!) ; Turrialba, Chirripo, Moravia de Chirripó, bosque primario, 1196 m, 23 December 2019, (Fr.), M. Cedeño et al. 1637 ( USJ!) ; Alvarado, Capellades, Carretera a Pacayas, 728 m, 8 November 2018, (Fr.), M. Cedeño et al. 1498 ( USJ!) ; Alvarado, Capellades, Carretera a Pacayas, 1728 m, 8 November 2018, (Fr.), M. Cedeño et al. 1500 ( USJ!) ; Paraiso, Reserva de Tapantí , 1300–1800 m, 1 November 1982, (Fr.), L. Gómez 18772 ( MO!) ; Paraiso, Along tributary of Quebrada Casa Blanca Tapantí, 1350 m m, 6 August 1984, (Fl.), M.H. Grayum 3696 ( MO!) ; Paraiso, Hill just to north of Quebrada Casa Blanca, 1350 m, 26 August 1984, (Fr.), M.H. Grayum 3889 ( MO!) ; Paraiso, Disturbed primary forest, 1400 m, 16 April 1967, (Fl.), R. Lent 824 ( MO!) ; Paraiso, Tapantí Hydroelectric Reserve , 1600–1700 m, 23 June 1976, (Infer.), T.B. Croat 36192 ( MO!) ; Paraiso, Hacienda Queverí , 1630 m, 15 July 1984, (Fr.), M.H. Grayum 3490 ( MO!) ; Turrialba, Tayutic , 1500 m, 26 July 1995, (Fl.), G. Herrera 8130 ( CR!) ; Turrialba, Along road between Juan Viñas and Turrialba, 1 July 1976, (Infer.), T.B. Croat 36827 ( MO!) ; Paraiso, Tapantí Reserve , 1500–1800 m, 29 September 1987, (Fr.), T.B. Croat 68291 ( MO!) ; Turrialba, Alvarado, Capellades, Santa Cruz, Linderos del Río Turrialba, 1750 m, 19 June 2015, (Fr.), M. Cedeño 794 ( USJ!) ; Paraíso, Orosi, Parque Nacional Tapantí, Proyecto Tapantí-Micorriza de Melania Fernández, 1260 m, 29 Junio 2016, (Fl.), M. Cedeño & M. Fernández 912 ( USJ!) ; Paraíso, Paraíso, Bosque secundafrio municipal, calle Mero, 1400 m, 6 July 2015, (Fl.), M. Mata et al. 3 ( USJ!) ; La unión , San Ramón, Finca Siete Manantiales, 1450 m, 3 December 2017, (Fr.), M. Cedeño 1178 ( USJ!) ; Limón: Limón, Valle La Estrella, N flank of Fila de Matama in headwaters of Rio Boyei, 1200 m, 16 August 1995, (Fr.), M.H. Grayum 11025 ( CR!, MO!); Talamanca, Bratsi, Amubri, Alto Lari, Kivut, Subiendo entre las cabeceras del Rio Lari y Rio Dapari, 1550 m, 15 March 1992, (Fl.), G. Herrera 5358 ( CR!) ; San José: San José, Near Río Tiribí along road to Planta Eléctrica María del Rosario, SW of Rancho Redondo, Montes de Oca m, 24 June 1984, (Infer.), M.H. Grayum & P. Sleeper 3304 ( CR!) ; Curridabat, Tirrases , Remnant forest above río Tiribi, near Maria del Socorro Power Plant, 5 km NW of Tres Ríos, 1700 m, 28 May 1967, (Fr.), R. Lent 1006 ( CR!) ; Vázquez de Coronado, Cascajal. P. N. Braulio Carrillo, Bajo La Hondura, 800 m después del portón, 1400 m, 2 November 2005, (Fr.), L. Acosta 3777 ( CR!) ; Vázquez de Coronado, Cascajal, Bajo La Hondura , entrendo por antiguo camino de mulas, 1400 m, 10 February 2000, (Fr.), A. Rodríguez 5734 ( CR!) ; Desamparados, San Miguel, Camino rural entre pequeños fragmentos de bosque y potreros arbolados a 4.5 km E de Tobosi, siguiendo la carretera 228, 1850 m, 8 April 2015, (Fl.), A. Cascante & C. Trejos 2538 ( USJ!) . PANAMA. Bocas del Toro: Hill just south of Chiriquí Grande; at end of pipeline access road 2 mi N of 2nd large bridge north (10 mi.) of cont. divide; in forest along ridge and draws. [Coordinates on orginal label: 8º54’N, 82º10’W], 08°55’48”N 082°12’30”W - 08°56’12”N 082°13’48”W, 350–500 m, 10 March 1986, B.E. Hammel et al. 14747 ( MO!) ; Faudas dlk ”Cerro Faiso Fatorega” PILA, Perito # 13, 09°10’05”N 082°39’44”W, 1392 m, 05 August 2008, D. Santamaría et al. 7744 ( PMA!); Alto Uril Rancho Santin , PILA, Peunto # 7. Apros 1 km al Norte de R. Santin, 09°07’07”N 082°40’05”W, 1293 m, 31 July 2008, D. Santamaría et al. 7621 Fortuna Dam region , along continental divide trail bordering Chiriqui. [Coordinates on orginal label: 8º45’4”N, 82º15’4W”], 08°46’18”N 082°13’00”W, 1200–1300 m, 23 Dec 1986, G. McPherson & J. Aranda 10057 ( MO!) ; Along road between Fortuna Dam and Chiriquí Grande, along gravel road which departs main hwy. near Continental Divide (4.5 mi N of bridge over Fortuna Lake), just S of border with Bocas del Toro Province. [Coordinates on orginal label: 08º44’N, 82º17’W], 08°47’06”N 082°13’18”W, 1170 m, 22 June 1987, T.B. Croat 66659 ( MO!) ; Along Continental Divide from road branching N off main Fortuna-Chiriquí Grande Highway near Continental Divide, 1.1 miles from main highway, 08°44’N 082°17’W, 1200 m, 11 March 1985, T.B. Croat & M.H. Grayum 60347 ( MO!) ; Changuinola. Cerro Frío, headwaters of Río Tskui. Point, 09°15’39”N 082°30’00”W, 1100 m, 28 October 2008, A.K. Monro et al. 6379 Cerro Frío , headwaters of Río Tskui. Point 20, 09°15’17”N 082°30’21”W, 1300 m, 23 October 2008, D. Santamaría et al. 7779 PILA. Estacion Santin . Bosque primario conel dosel de hasta 30 m de altura, predominado por Cedreia tonduzii, Quercus insignis, Gordonia fruticosa y Euterpe precatoria, 09°07’08”N 082°39’51”W, 01 August 2008, D. Solano 5631 ( MO!) ; Chiriquí: Vicinity of Fortuna Dam, in valley south of lake. Forest, 08°45’04”N 082°15’04”W, 1200– 1300 m, 25 December 1986, G. McPherson & J.E. Aranda 10124 ( MO!) ; Just W of the Fortuna Camp, 08°44’N 082°15’W, 1400–1600 m, 12 Sep 1977, J.P. Folsom et al. 5358 ( MO!) ; NE del campamento Fortuna (Hornito), sitio de presa, después de excavaciones geológicas hasta la finca Santamaría, 08°45’N 082°14’W, 1000–1200 m, 15 agosto 1976, M.D. Correa et al. 2465 ( MO!) ; NE del campamento de Fortuna (Hornito sitio de presa) . Camino hacia la finca Landau, 08°45’N 082°15’W, 1000–1200 m, 24 Sep 1976, M.D. Correa et al. 2688 ( MO!) ; Resevea Forestal Fortuna . Bosque cercano a la quebrada Honda. Sendero Nitrof, 08°45’05”N 082°14’27”W, 1202 m, 29 enero 2013, O. Ortiz et al. 1135 ( MO!, PMA!); Gualaca-Chiriquí Grande Road over Fortuna Lake , along gravel road which departs main highway near Continental Divide, (4.5 mi N of middle of bridge over Fortuna Lake), just S of border with Bocas del Toro Province, 08°44’N 081°17’W, 1170 m, 23 June 1987, T.B. Croat 66670 ( MO!) ; Along road between Fortuna Lake and Chiriquí Grande ; 4.5-5 km N of dam over Fortuna Lake, 08°45’N 082°13’W, 1100–1135 m, 08 March 1985, T.B. Croat 59988 ( MO, UB) ; Vicinity of Fortuna Dam site on Río Chiriqui beyond Gualaca 9.4 mi beyond Gate to Francisco Linare’s house, 20.9 mi from bridge over Río Estí, 10.8 mi beyond Los Planes de Hornito, 08°42’N 082°14’W, 1400 m, 27 Nov 1979, T.B. Croat 48720 ( MO!) ; Along road between Gualaca and Fortuna dam site ; 10 mi NW of Los Planes de Hornito, 08°45’N 082°17’W, 1260 m, 10 Apr 1980, T.B. Croat 50077 ( MO!) ; Cerro Colorado , along road above San Félix, 29 km above bridge over Río San Félix (7.9 km above turnoff to Escopeta), 08°32’07”N 081°49’11”W, 1500 m, 14 July 1976, T.B. Croat 37080 ( MO!) ; Fortuna Dam Area, Fortuna-Chiriquí Grande , 1.8 mi NW of center of dam, 08°45’N 082°18’W, 1080 m, 27 June 1994, T.B. Croat & G. Zhu 76499 ( MO!) ; Fortuna Dam Area, Fortuna-Chiriquí Grande , 5.3 miles N of center of Fortuna Dam, then 1.4 miles W along gravel road to Continental Divide Trail, 08°44’N 082°17’W, 23 June 1994, T.B. Croat & G. Zhu 76318 ( MO!, NY!); Boquete. Corregimiento Los Naranjos, Parque Internacional La Amistad, entrando por el sitio llamado Bajo de Mono, 08°50’04”N 082°28’08”W, 28 enero 2013, A. Zuluaga et al. 911 ( PMA!) ; Coclé: Vicinity El Copé, 5–6 miles N of El Copé, along trail which leads into the lowlands from old Riviera saw works area, 08°40’14”N 080°35’34”W - 08°41’18”N 080°35’58”W, 600–800 m, 08 July 1994, T.B. Croat & G. Zhu 77200 ( CR!, MO!) ; Panamá: Road past Altos de Pacora, 3–3.5 mi NE of Altos de Pacora, 7.8–8.2 mi above Pan Am Highway, 11.1–11.6 mi beyond Lago Cerro Azul, 09°15’N 079°25’W, 700–750 m, 19 June 1988, T.B. Croat 68681 ( MO!) ; Panamá. Cerro Jefe , 0.5 km south of the summit, 09°13’30”N 079°22’35”W, 950 m, 04 Feb 1973, P. Busey & T.B. Croat 260 ( MO!) .

Figures

FIGURE 49. Monstera lentii from Cartago, Costa Rica. (A) Developing inflorescence. (B) Inflorescence with open spathe, front and back views. (C) Mature infructescence, stylar plates detaching. (D) Fertile flower; in lateral view (left), and in longitudinal section (right). (E) Stylar plate with stigma (left) and one stamen (right). (F) Sterile flower; lateral view (left), and longitudinal section (right). (G) Adult plant. (H) Juvenile plant. (I) Seedling. (J) Seeds. M. Cedeño et al. 912 (USJ). Image from Cedeño-Fonseca et al. (2022).

FIGURE 50. Monstera lentii. Adult plant growing 1.5 m above the ground in Fortuna, Panama. M. Cedeño et al. 2463 (PMA). Photo by M. Cedeño-Fonseca.