Monstera pittieri Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst.

Croat, Thomas B., Cedeño-Fonseca, Marco & Ortiz, Orlando O., 2024, Revision of Monstera (Araceae: Monsteroideae) of Central America, Phytotaxa 656 (1), pp. 1-197 : 144

41. Monstera pittieri Engl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 37: 116. 1905. ( Figs. 69 , 70 )

Type: — COSTA RICA. [Limón:] Matina , Aug. 1895, H. Pittier 9766 (lectotype B! seen on-line, photos: BH, SEL!, isolectotypes BR!, CR!, US!, designated by Madison (1977)).

Nomadic vine, appressed-climbing and pendent habit. SEEDLINGS: filiform. JUVENILE PLANTS: root climbers; stems light to dark green, flattened; internodes 4–6 cm long, 3–5 mm diam.; petiole slightly visible, dark green, smooth, 6–12 cm long, sheathed to base of the geniculum; petiole sheath persistent; blades lanceolate, subcordate to truncate at base, acuminate at apex, 7–15 × 5–8 cm, slightly appressed to the phorophyte; fenestrations absent. ADULT PLANTS: root climbers; stems dark green, cylindrical or dorsoventrally compressed and slightly sulcate on one side; internodes 1–20 cm long, 0.5–1.0 cm diam., usually 3–20 times longer than wide; anchor roots dark brown; feeder roots corky; petiole light or dark-green, smooth, 6–10 cm long, sheathed up to 3 cm before the geniculum or to base of the geniculum; petiole sheath deciduous or slightly persistent with fibrous residues, ligule up to 1 cm long; geniculum smooth, flattened adaxially, convex abaxially, 1.5–2.5 cm long; blades broad to narrowly ovate, elliptical or oblong or lanceolate, broadly cuneate to rounded or truncated at base, obtuse to short-acuminate at apex, subcoriaceous to coriaceous, drying yellowish, blackish or greenish, 13–18 × 5–10 cm, not decurrent to the geniculum; midrib flattened adaxially, convex abaxially, drying yellowish or blackish on both surfaces, wavy distally; primary lateral veins 4–7 per side, obscure adaxially, prominent abaxially, departing midrib at 35–45°, drying yellowish or dark brown; secondary veins inconspicuous; collective veins not visible; fenestrations absent or present, one side of the blade more perforated than the other, 1–5 fenestrations per blade; margins entire. INFLORESCENCES on pendent stems, 1–9 simultaneously at flowering time, arranged in the axils of the leaves; peduncle smooth, 1–4 cm long, 2–6 mm diam.; spathe obtuse or mucronate, green externally during development, green externally and white internally at anthesis, tearing longitudinally when fully opened (rarely not tearing), the margins revolute, deciduous after anthesis; 9–12 × 6–8 cm, as long as the spadix; spadix white during development, creamy-yellow at anthesis, 4–9 cm long, 1.5–3.5 cm diam., (2.4)3.0–3.6 times longer than wide; basal sterile flowers 4–5 mm long, with an orange stigmatic secretion; fertile flowers 5–7 mm long; stamens 0.5–3.5 mm long. with laminar filaments; anthers 1.5–2.0 mm long, the filaments not exceeding the styles at anthesis, the styles slightly separated from adjacent ones, allowing exposure of thecae; ovary ribbed, square in longitudinal section, 3–4 × 3–4 mm, narrower than style; style quadrangular, cylindrical or hexagonal, 3–5 × 3–4 mm; stigma linear, black post-anthesis; berries with a yellowish-green stylar cap during development, mature stylar cap yellow; pulp white; seeds oblong, black, 6–9 mm long.

Distribution and ecology: — Monstera pittieri ranges from Costa Rica (Atlantic) and Panama to Colombia, at 0–400 m, in Tropical moist forest and Tropical wet forest life zones.

Phenology: —Flowering has been recorded in April-May, July-August, and November-December. Fruit in January-December.

Discussion: —The species, a member of sect. Marcgraviopsis , is characterized for its pendent habitat and it highly variable blades ranging from ovate to oblong and perforated or not. Plants with oblong blades are never perforated while those with more or less ovate blades have 1–4 small perforations on one side only.

Monstera pittieri is one of a group of species that only bloom on hanging stems. It could be confused with Monstera tuberculata , but that species has the petiolar sheath (also deciduous) with a ligule up to 5 cm in length, the leaf blade basally cordate, the spathe yellow or cream externally, spadix with flowers not separated and the infructescence green when ripe. Monstera pittieri is also similar to M. luteynii , but the latter differs because it has smooth stems, fenestrated leaves and the petiolar sheath reaching the base of the geniculum or up to 3 cm below it ( Cedeño-Fonseca et al. 2022).

Monstera pittieri is most easily confused with entire leaved forms of M. obliqua but that species differs by having less coriaceous, more markedly oblique blades, having the inflorescences born on pendent stem (versus ascending stems for M. pittieri ), peduncles 10–17 cm long (versus 1–4 for M. pittieri ), orange mature stylar caps and seeds 3–5 mm diam. (in contrast to having the mature stylar cap yellow and seeds 6–9 mm diam. for M. pittieri ).

Additional specimens examined: — COSTA RICA. Alajuela: Alajuela, Carrizal, Forest along Río Sarapiquí downstream and upstream from crossing of road to Colonia Virgen del Socorro , 740 m, 3 July 1985, (Fl.), M.H. Grayum 5523 ( CR!, MO!); San Ramón, Peñas Blancas, Peñas Blancas river valley NE of San Carlos; in woods on slopes along river, 350 m, 29 June 1985, (Fl., Fr.), B.E. Hammel et al, 14062 ( CR!, MO!); San Carlos , Fortuna, San Carlos , Fortuna, R. B. Arenal Mundo Aventura, 250 m, 30 April 2004, (Fl.), A. Rodríguez 8767 ( CR!) ; Cartago: Jiménez, Pejibaye, R. V. S. La Marta, Pejibaye, Turrialba , 700 m, 20 September 2003, (Fr.), R. Kriebel 3853 ( CR!) ; Heredia: Sarapiquí, La Virgen, P.N. Braulio Carrillo, Estación Magsasay, Bosque primari, 150 m, 2 June 1990, (Fr.), G. Carballo 61 ( CR!, MO!); Sarapiquí, Las Horquetas, Some what disturbed primary forest in low, wet area between Río Sucio and railroad tracks, SW of Finca Zona Ocho, Río Frío de Sarapiquí, 110 m, 6 July 1985, (Fl.), M.H Grayum & B.E. Hammel 5570 ( CR!, MO!); Heredia, Path beyond Río Sucio , 400 m, 4 May 1984, (Fr.), L. Gómez 21205 ( MO!) ; Limón: La Concepción, Llanuras de Santa Clara , 250 m, Feb. 1896, J. Donnell-Smith 6809 ( K, US) ; Talamanca, Sixaola, Headwaters of Quebrada Mata de Limón , central fork, and hills between central and westernmost forks, Finca Anai, Sixaola region, 35 m, 19 November 1984, (Fr.), M.H. Grayum et al. 4513 ( CR!, MO!) ; Pococí, Colorado, P.N. Tortuguero, Lomas de Sierpe, 1.5 km al O del puesto del parque nacional en el río Sierpe, Topografía quebrada conpendientes medianamente pronunciadas, Suelo bien drenado, 100 m, 12 August 1988, (Fl., Fr.), R. Robles et al. 2026 ( CR!, MO!) ; Talamanca, Cahuita, R.V.S. Gandoca-Manzanillo, In and around large swamp at Manzanillo, Northwestern end of swamp, 5 m, 2 November 1984, (Fr.), M.H. Grayum & W. Burton 4341 ( CR!, MO!) ; Limón, Valle la Estrella, R.B. Hitoy Cerere, Cerro Bitarkara , Cordillera de Talamanca , 800 m, 28 February 1989, (Fr.), G. Herrera & M. Solís 2494 ( CR!, MO!) ; Pococí, Colorado, R. N. F. S. Barra del Colorado, ( Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre ) Fields and pastures between Río Chirripocito and Río Sardina (”Sardinal” Chirripó Atlantico quadrangle), 12 m, 22 April 1990, (Fl., Fr.), M.H. Grayum 982 4 ( CR!, MO!) ; Pococí, Colorado, R.N. F.S. Barra del Colorado, Llanura de Tortuguero , Sardinas , 18 m, 1 March 1995, (Fr.), F. Araya 755 ( CR!, MO!) ; Limón, Valle La Estrella, Pasture adjoining Bananito Lodge, Pasture with a few remnant trees and pockets of disturbed vegetation, 100 m, 26 March 2010, (Fr.), A. Monro 6609 ( CR!, MO!) ; Talamanca, Cahuita, A orilla de la carretera, 1 Km despues de Cahuita, Ruta a Puerto Viejo, 1 m, 22 October 1997, (Fr.), A. Rodríguez 2653 ( CR!, MO!) ; Talamanca, Cahuita, Bosques de Manzanillo , 50 m, 9 January 2017, (Fl., Fr.), M. Cedeño et al. 1106 ( USJ!) ; Limón, Talamanca, Cahuita , Bosques de Manzanillo , 20 m, 30 January 2019, (Fr.), M. Cedeño & A. Hay 1615 ( USJ!) ; Puntarenas: Osa, Sierpe, R.F. Golfo Dulce, Península de Osa, Aguabuena oeste, cerca de casa de Don Beto, 50 m, 21 November 1992, (Fr.), R. Aguilar 1501 ( CR!, MO!) ; Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, P.N. Corcovado, Dos Brazos de Río Tigre, Jiménez, Cuenca superior del Río Madrigal , margen derecha, 600 m, 8 December 1990, (Fr.), G. Herrera 4740 ( CR!, MO!) ; Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, P.N.Corcovado, Near estation Sirena, 10 m, 5 December 1989, (Infer.), Merz 437 ( CR!) ; Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, P.N. Corcovado , Lower Lookout Trail , 25 m, 31 July 1988, (Fr.), C. Kernan 749 ( CR!) ; Rancho Quemado, Lote de Orellana, Bosque primario, Rincón, 200 m, 15 May 1991, (Fr.), J. Quesada 518 ( CR!) ; Streams and slopes adjacent to Airfield. Disturbed primary forest, Rincón de Osa , 150 m, 6 February 1974, (Fr.), R. Liesner 1844 ( CR!, MO!); Garabito, Tárcoles, Saddle between Cerros Quebrada Bonita and Montanas Jamaica, headwaters of Quebrada Bonita , and ridge to N, 420 m, 27 July 1995, (Infer.), M.H. Grayum 10759 ( CR!, MO!) ; Osa, Sierpe, Alrededores de la toma de Agua, Rancho Quemado, Rincon, Bosque primario, 200 m, 15 January 1991, (Fr.), J. Quesada 324 ( CR!) ; Osa, Hillls north of Palmar Norte, 50–700 m, 21 May 1976, (Infer.), T.B. Croat 35159 ( MO!) ; Osa, Vicinity of Boscosa at Quebrada Aguabuena , 11 September 1996, (Infer.), T.B. Croat 79316 ( CR!, MO!) ; San José: Perez Zeledón, Barú , Tinamaste , Finca de los Suizos, 650 m, 3 December 1998, (Fl., Fr.), A. Estrada et al. 1989 ( CR, USJ) ; Turrubares, San Juan de Mata, P.N. Carara, Cuenca del Río Grande de Tárcoles, Puesto Carara, Río Carara abajo de la unión con Río del Sur , 150 m, 5 April 1993, (Infer.), B.E. Hammel & M.H. Grayum 18939 ( CR!, MO!) ; Acosta, Sabanillas, Fila San Jeronimo, Colorado, en el camino que conduce a Fila Pital , 600 m, 13 April 1999, (Fr.), J. Morales 7050 ( CR!) ; Acosta, Sabanillas, Acosta, Tiquires, Fila Zoncuano, Falda S., Entre Río Parritilla y Zoncuano , 700 m, 13 May 2001, (Fl.), J. Morales 8097 ( CR!) . PANAMA. Bocas del Toro: Isla Colón, área de Mimitimbi, 09°26’03”N 082°16’33”W, A. Zapata et al. 1373 ( MO!) ; Sieyic , 14 October 1993, FLORPAN, C. Galdames & A. Espinosa 1522 ( MO!, PMA!) ; Fortuna Dam area . Along road to Chiriquí Grande. [Coordinates on orginal label: 8º48’N, 82º10’W], 08°47’12”N 082°11’16”W, 550–650 m, 30 April 1986, G. McPherson 9155 ( MO!) ; Above Chiriquí Grande , 10 road-miles from continental divide, ca. 2 road-miles along road east of highway. [Coordinates on orginal label: 8º55’4”N, 82º10’4”W], 08°54’28”N 082°09’05”W, 300 m, 10 February 1987, G. McPherson 10460 ( MO!) ; Along road from Fortuna Dam towards Chiriquí Grande , 10 miles from continental divide, 1 mile along side road. [Coordinates on orginal label: 8º55’N, 82º10’W], 08°55’25”N 082°09’41”W, 120 m, 05 March 1986, G. McPherson 8557 ( MO!) ; bosque Protector Palo Seco. Finca Willie Mazu, 08°46’43”N 082°12’32”W, 1047 m, 25 August 2018, O. Ortiz et al. 3385 ( MO!, PMA!); Along road between Chiriquí Grande and Fortuna , 13.2 miles W of Chiriquí Grande, 08°50’12”N 082°11’48”W, 310 m, 09 March 1985, T.B. Croat & M.H. Grayum 60128 ( MO!) ; Along road between Fortuna and Chiriquí Grande , 1.2 mi N of Continental Divide, 5.3 mi N of bridge over Fortuna Dam 4. [Coordinates on orginal label: 08º44’N, 82º17’W], 08°46’06”N 082°12’30”W, 910 m, 12 March 1985, T.B. Croat & M.H. Grayum 60429 ( MO!) ; Coclé: La Mesa , N of El Valle de Antón, 08°38’00”N 080°07’05”W, 840–880 m, 20 Jul 1990, M.H. Grayum & R.J. Evans 9902 ( MO!) ; Colón: Along Río Guanche , 5 km above bridge on Colón-Portobelo road, 09°22’30”N 079°41’30”W, 250 m, 6 Apr 1993, T.B. Croat 75173 ( MO!) ; Darién: Cerro Chucanti . Sendero presidente, 800 m, 22 December 2009, F. Hernández 1643 ( PMA!) ; Cerro Chucanti. Alrededor de la estación Bioógica , 800 m, 19 diciembre 2009, F. Hernández et al. 1583 FH Parque Nacional Darién , trocha entre la Estación Pirre y el Cerro Pirre, 08°00’N 077°45’W, 100–300 m, 11 Feb 1991, Heraclio Herrera 933 ( MO!) ; Parque Nacional Darién . Cerro Pirre. Rancho Frio. Cascada arriba, 08°00’58”N 077°43’24”W, 164 m, 14 abril 2016, O. Ortiz & T. Contreras 2570 ( MO!) ; Panamá: Along El Llano-Carti road , 9.5 km north of Pan-American highway, along trail west of road, 09°15’N 079°00’W, 200–300 m, 09 April 1987, G. McPherson 10818 ( MO!) ; Along trail off Llano-Cartí road , c. 4.6 miles from junction with Pan-American Highway, 9º15’N, 79º00’W. Forest c. 350 m, 09°15’N 079°00’W, 350 m, 26 Jan. 1986, G. McPherson & M. Merello 8153 ( MO!) ; Chepo. 6 km above Pan-Am Highway on road from El Llano to Carti-Tupile, 09°15’32”N 078°57’36”W, 200 m, 18 October 1972, H. Kennedy 1784 ( MO!) ; El Llano-Cartí highway , 17–20 km north of El Llano, 09°17’45”N 078°56’15”W - 09°18’40”N 078°56’40”W, 08 Mar 1974, R. Dressler 4637 ( MO!) ; El Llano-Cartí Road , 7–12 km from Interamerican Highway, 09°17’45”N 078°56’15”W, 360–400 m, 18 July 1974, T.B. Croat 25175 ( MO!) ; Primary forest; along newly cut road from El Llano to Cartí-Tupile ; 12 mi above Pan-Am Hwy, 09°18’40”N 078°56’40”W, 200–500 m, 13 March 1973, T.B. Croat 22847A ( MO!) ; Panamá. Near top of Cerro Jefe to 1 mile beyond, 09°14’02”N 079°22’30”W, 900–1000 m, 1 Jan 1972, A. Gentry et al. 3521 ( MO!) ; Cerro Jefe, 21 km above Pan-Am Highway , 09°10’40”N 079°24’30”W, 600 m, 12 Jun 1976, T.B. Croat 35883 ( MO!) ; 2.5 m N of Goofy Lake on road to Cerro Azul , 09°11’30”N 079°23’55”W, 750 m, 26 July 1970, T.B. Croat 11545 ( MO!) ; San Blas: El Llano-Cartí Rd. Km 19.1 , 09°19’N 078°55’W, 350 m, 01 July 1985, G. de Nevers 5954 ( MO!) ; El Llano-Cartí road, Km 27.8. [Coordinates on original label: 9º19’N, 78º55’W], 09°22’N 078°58’W, 200 m, 02 March 1986, G. de Nevers 7220 ( MO!) ; Cangandí , 09°26’N 079°07’W, 30 m, 10 February 1986, G. de Nevers & H. Herrera 7113 ( MO!) ; Yar Bired ( Cerro San José ), continental divide between Cangandí and San José, 09°20’N 079°08’W, 400–500 m, 05 February 1986, G. de Nevers & H. Herrera 6950 ( MO!) ; El Llano-Cartí Road , km 19.1, 09°20’N 078°58’W, 350 m, 02 November 1985, G. de Nevers et al. 6150 ( MO!) ; Cangandí . Hills near village, 09°27’N 079°06’W, 30 m, 27 March 1986, G. de Nevers et al. 7496 ( MO!) ; El Llano to Cartí Road, 16.5 km N of Panamerican Highway, border of Panama, 09°18’00”N 078°58’30”W, 13 April 1977, J. Folsom 2603 ( MO!) .

Figures

FIGURE 69. Monstera pittieri from Manzanillo, Costa Rica. (A) Developing inflorescence. (B) Inflorescence with open spathe, front and back views. (C) Mature infructescence, stylar plates detached toward the apex. (D) Fertile flower; in lateral view (left), and in longitudinal section (right). (E) Stylar plate with stigma (left) and one stamen (right). (F) Sterile flower; lateral view (left) and longitudinal section (right). (G) Seedling. (H) Seeds. (I) Adult plant. M. Cedeño et al. 1106 (USJ). Image from Cedeño-Fonseca et al. (2022).

FIGURE 70. Monstera pittieri from Manzanillo, Costa Rica. Adult plant with hanging stems. M. Cedeño et al. 1106 (USJ). Photo by M. Cedeño-Fonseca.