Typification and interpretation of Philodendron imbe Schott ex Kunth (Araceae)

• Published in: Taxon Vol. 60; no. 6; pp. 1764 - 1767
• Main Authors: Mayo, Simon J., Sakuragui, Cassia M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Association for Plant Taxonomy 01-12-2011
• Subjects: Araceae; Aroideae-maximilianae; Atlantic forest; Extinction; Forests; Herbaria; Leaves; Neotype; Neotypes; NOMENCLATURE; Ovaries; Pencils; Philodendron imbe; Plants; Schott icones aroideae; Spathes; Taxa; Typification
• ISSN: 0040-0262; 1996-8175
• DOI: 10.1002/tax.606020

The name Philodendron imbe has been used for at least three species of hemi-epiphytic Philodendron species of medium stature with cordate to cordate-sagittate leaves occurring in the Atlantic Forest region of Brazil. Many specimens so determined are found throughout the world's herbaria, especially in Brazil, North America, and Europe. This investigation shows that descriptions made by H.W. Schott in 1832, 1856, and 1860 differ from those of species to which the name has been most widely applied ever since; in particular, from P. acutatum Schott and P. appendiculatum Nadruz & Mayo. The name Philodendron imbe is here neotypified on plate 34, published in J. Peyritsch's Aroideae Maximilianae in 1879, based on a collection made by Franz Maly in the region of Rio de Janeiro. We propose that P. imbe is a rare and possibly extinct species from the Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro State which has not been correctly identified in any collections made since 1860.