De Leon pothos (Pothos deleonii), new species (Araceae, Potheae, Pothoideae) from Mindanao, Philippines

NEWS - De Leon pothos (Pothos deleonii sp. nov.), Araceae: Potheae: Pothoideae, closely resembles Pothos philippinensis in sheath and leaf morphology, but differs in inflorescence and flowers. The new species is closely related to Pothos kingii in dark purple inflorescences.

The new species is morphologically similar to P. philippinensis in vegetative characters but differs in purple peduncles, dark burgundy to purplish black sheaths and pendulous petioles and acuminate to caudate leaf tips (vs. acuminate to apiculate).

P. deleonii is most closely related to R. kingii and P. atropurpurascens M. Hotta in having purple cylindrical peduncles, but differs by having much longer, purplish green to dark purple peduncles, 16-18 cm long (vs. 5 cm in P. kingii and 8 cm in P. atropurpurascens), broad ovate spathes, subsessile peduncles and 7/10 of the total spathe length, larger flower diameter (2 mm) and flower orientation.

P. deleonii is only known from a very limited area at two sites in degraded, open-canopy secondary dipterocarp forest in a 500-hectare bird conservation site located in the northern foothills of Mount Kitanglad at elevations of 1150 and 1270 m.

It grows on the ground or at the base of Shorea sp. trees and Alsophila sp. trunks, dbh 12-20 cm. Attached to host plants from the ground up to 4-6 meters, where the plant branches and grows freely, either hanging or supported by vines or branches of adjacent trees.

No specific relationship with plants other than the host plant is known. However, the habitat supports other aroids such as Alocasia sanderiana, A. zebrina and Rhaphidophora sp.

The specific epithet is given in honor of Dr. Miguel David De Leon, a vitreoretinal surgeon and wildlife conservationist who first photographed this new species and advocated the conservation of wild flora, especially orchids and hoyas, fauna especially birds of prey in Mindanao.

Extensive surveys in an area of 500 hectares found only 12 adults. This plant is in a bird conservation area and is continuously monitored by the Robert S. Kennedy Bird Conservancy. Currently there are no threats, but the small population and distribution of less than 2 hectares, the researchers proposed Critically Endangered based on IUCN criteria (2024).

Original research

Medecilo-Guiang MMP, Cabactulan D (2024) Pothos deleonii (Araceae, Potheae, Pothoideae), a new species from Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines. PhytoKeys 247: 183-190, DOI:10.3897/phytokeys.247.130721

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