Philodendron serpens Hook.f. is a scandent aroid characterized by its very elongated, densely arranged petiole scales that give this species its specific epithet (serpent-like). Petioles are red, terete, sub-equal in length to the blade, covered with rather thick, subulate, short, dense recurved emergences. Leaf blades are bright ('laete') green, thinly coriaceous, broadly sagittate.
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.
Philodendron serpens
Name: Philodendron serpens Hook.f.
Type: herbaceous evergreen
Form: Scandent chamaephytes
Family: Araceae
Native Range: Colombia and Ecuador
Zone: 11-13
Habitat: from foothill rainforest in western and southern Colombia (Nariño Department) and reported from the trade in northern Ecuador
Height: 3-4m
Spread: to 1m
Sun: Part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: High
Leaf: Evergreen
Tolerate: Semi ShadeTaxon identifiers: PlantList-ID : kew-151943; Tropicos ID : 2103344; IPNI plant ID : 88006-1; NCBI taxonomy ID : 400874; Global Biodiversity Information Facility ID : 2870998; Encyclopedia of Life ID : 1135189; WCSPF ID : 151943; Plants of the World online ID : urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:88006-1; iNaturalist taxon ID : 702379; eBiodiversity ID : 321433; Observation.org ID : 281059 World Flora Online ID : wfo-0000268998
Synonyms: no synonyms recorded