PWU Pharmacobotanical Garden

Philodendron martianum

Pacova

Information obtained from Godofredo U. Stuart Jr. M.D. (StuartXchange)

Botanical Description

Philodendron martianum is endemic to (exclusively found in) Brazil and was described to science in 1899 by botanist Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler (1844 to 1930). Adult specimens of Philodendron martianum grow in a rosette form (similar to the arrangement of a rose's petals) and are capable of growing quite large (2 meters or more). The leaf blades of Philodendron martianum are coriaceous to subcoriaceous (leathery to less than leathery to the touch) and are a medium dark green in color. The blades are only slightly glossy on the upper surface but semi-glossy to matte and slightly paler in color on the underside. The primary lateral leaf veins are not easily seen and the minor veins are only slightly visible on both blade surfaces. The petioles (often incorrectly called stems) which support each blade are spongy to the touch and are terete (less than round but still circular or cylindrical).

Taxonomical Classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Sub kingdom: Tracheobionta

Superdivision: Embryophyta

Division: Tracheophyta

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Alismatales

Family: Araceae

Genus: Philodendron

Species: Philodendron martianum

Properties

Contains calcium oxalate crystals which can irritate and cause swelling if ingested

Habitat/Distribution

Native to Brazil, Philodendron martianum thrives in the lush, tropical rainforests of South America. In the wild, these plants can be found growing on the forest floor or climbing trees, taking advantage of the high humidity and dappled sunlight provided by the dense canopy above.

Phytochemical Classification

There are no studies dedicated to their phytochemical constituents.

Uses

Industrial Uses:

Ornamental purposes
Air purification
Health benefits

Pharmaceutical Uses:

Currently, there are no widely recognized pharmaceutical uses for Philodendron martianum documented in scientific literature.

Pharmacological uses:

Philodendron Martianum, like many Philodendrons, contains calcium oxalate crystals which can irritate and cause swelling if ingested. This makes them unsuitable for consumption and there's no evidence yet for any medicinal properties.

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