AKA Paddle Leaf Philodendron
There is limited record of this plant both from Brazil and globally. It was first published in 1957 and is not a common plant within most aroid collections around the world.
While not the prettiest of Aroids, it’s unique shape and terrestrial growing style makes it a fun plant to grow.
This is a fantastic and hardy aroid that grows along the ground. Its roots grow from the nodes on the under side of the stem and leaves from the upper. The stem is 3-5cm thick and generally the Internodes are 2cm long.
The big, dark and glossy, paddle shaped leaves can reach up to 120cm from the ground. The leaf itself is generally 30-40cm in length and 10-15cm at its widest.
A mid rib runs down the centre of each leaf to the peteole. On the upper side of the leaf it is flatly raised, while on the underside of the leaf it is more prominent and rounded.
The peteole is also 30-40cm in length and it a curved ‘Sulfate’ shape that funnels rain from the leaves and down to the stem and roots.
Philodendron Renauxii
In Profile
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Origin:
Found in the state of Santa Catarina, southern, coastal Brazil.
Endemic and only found in this region. Grows in forest regions of Santa Catarina at elevations of 350m (1000ft). Commonly seen growing along the ground in its natural habitat. Not commonly seen in collections.
Terrestrial or Epiphytic:
Terrestrial! A philodendron that crawls along the ground. It does not climb, but is often confused with P. Glaziovii, a similar plant that does climb and this leads to some confusion.
Light:
Bright indirect light.
Water:
Allow top inch of soil to dry between watering.
Temperature:
Best above 15 deg C. Will not tolerate frost, but otherwise very hardy
Humidity:
Prefers above 70%
Soil:
Grows well in a lighter, airy soil. An Aroid Mix is best. Heavier soils will hold water and make the plant prone to root rot.
Fertiliser:
Weakly, Weekly! Small amounts on a weekly basis. I use a combo of slow release fertiliser and a plant food/seaweed liquid feed at quarter strength on a weekly basis. Back off in colder months when the plant is not growing.
Propagation:
From stem cuttings or seed
Flowers:
The inflorescense sits upon a thin Penduncle that’s 20-30cm long and acts as a kind of internode between the Spathe and the rest of the plant. The creamy coloured Spathe wraps around the base of the Spadix like a cloak. It can reach, 18cm long by 6cm wide. It appears to be a form of flower, however is In fact, a modified leaf. The Spadix consists of two zones. The Female and Male Zones. As the Spathe opens and allows the Spadix to emerge. The Female zone, which is 5cm long, is at the base of the Spadix, within the chamber created by the Spathe wrapping around the Spadix. This zone is full of tiny flowers that are fertile for the first 24 hours and waiting to be pollinated, so that they can form seeds within a single berry for each flower. The male zone is 9cm long and at this stage, is still sterile. It produces a pheromone that is projected through the air by a chemical reaction that heats the inflorescense. This brings insects to the Female zone, bringing with it pollen from other plants to fertilize the Female flowers. After these flowers are spent, the male zone will produce pollen that is then taken to other inflorescense that are drawing the beetles in with their pheramones to promote pollination.
Thanks for reading and happy growing. Xx
*I bought my P. Renauxii while I was sitting with my Dad, in hospital the last day I saw him alive. He was sleeping and I was distracting myself from the situation. Its strange as well because if he was to remind me of any of my plants, its this one. So, I dedicate my P. Renauxii to his Memory. 💜
Rest In Peace Dad. Xx
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References
*With limited information available for this article, I have two main resources to mention. I have done my best to put what I have learnt into my own words.
1, As seen on 20/5/2020, https://www.gbif.org/species/2871344
2, As seen on 20/5/2020
https://www.exoticrainforest.com/Philodendron%20renauxii%20pc.html
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