Philodendron maximum K.Krause is a hemiepiphytic Philodendron often said to be one of the world's largest Philodendron species with leaf blades reaching up to 165cm in length. Petioles are sharply D-or U-shaped near base,with erect edges, medium to dark green and semiglossy, smooth, somewhat spongy. Terete, medium green, semiglossy, weakly dark short-lineate in the middle, and subterete in cross-section. Leaf blades are narrowly ovate-sagittate to ovate-triangular-sagittate, subcoriaceous, abruptly acuminate at apex, deeply lobed at base, dark green and moderately glossy above, moderately paler and matte below; margin markedly undulate and weakly sinuate; posterior lobes directed toward the base and often turned inward, sometimes overlapping.
From the Modern Latin genus name Philodendron (Schott, 1830), from Greek philodendron, neuter of philodendros "loving trees," from philo- "loving" (see philo-) + dendron "tree" (from PIE *der-drew-, from root *deru- "to be firm, solid, steadfast," also forming words for "wood, tree"). The plant so called because it clings to trees.