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Narrow-lobed Pothos (Epipremnum angustilobum)
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
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Epipremnum angustilobum - Taxonomic History and Botanical Profile
Discovered in the tropical rainforests of New Guinea, Epipremnum angustilobum was identified and published by German botanist Kurt Krause in 1911. This climbing liana inhabits wet, humid lowland forests, utilizing tree trunks for structural support. Taxonomic revisions now classify this plant as a synonym of the ecologically diverse Epipremnum pinnatum.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ monocots
- ∟ order Alismatales (Water plantain order)
- ∟ family Araceae (Arum family)
- ∟ subfamily Monsteroideae
- ∟ genus Epipremnum (Pothos)
- ∟ species Epipremnum angustilobum (Narrow-lobed Pothos)
Morphology
The morphology of Epipremnum angustilobum is typical of climbing forest plants, characterized by long, flexible stems. These stems produce abundant adventitious roots that anchor the plant securely to hosts. The foliage changes dramatically as the plant climbs from the forest floor towards the canopy.
Mature leaves are characterized by their deeply lobed structure with narrow, slender segments. Tiny, translucent pinholes known as fenestrations occur along the midrib of mature leaves, allowing wind and light to pass through. The inflorescence consists of a dense, cylindrical spadix enclosed by a green-to-yellowish spathe.
Applications
As a wild taxon, Epipremnum angustilobum serves as a subject of study in evolutionary biology and tropical ecology. Understanding its native range helps botanists map the speciation of the genus in the Indo-Malayan realm. The closely related Epipremnum pinnatum is occasionally cultivated by rare plant collectors for its distinct, fenestrated foliage.
Interesting facts
The species name angustilobum translates to narrow-lobed in Latin, highlighting the slender divisions of its mature leaves. Kurt Krause, the botanist who named it, was a prolific researcher at the Berlin Botanical Garden who described numerous tropical species. Finding these plants in the wild often requires navigating dense, swampy terrains of New Guinea.
Geography of distribution
- Papua New Guinea
- Indonesia
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- World Flora Online (WFO)
- International Plant Names Index (IPNI)
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