Surname: PhPhilodendron tenue, K.Koch & Augustin 1855
Synonyms: Philodendron ecuadorense, Eng. 1899
Philodendron sylvatica, Schott 1860
Philodendron sodiroanum, Eng. 1899
etymology: tenue = delicate, dainty, weak
Reproduction: Division
Origin: Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela
Location: hemiepiphytic, from sea level to 2000m, very widespread in northern South America, along both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. In Central America, Philodendron tenue occurs in premontane moist forests, rarely in tropical moist forests. In South America, this species is ecologically quite diverse and occurs in the habitat zones tropical thorn forest, premontane thorn forest, tropical dry forest, tropical moist forest and premontane moist forest.
Remarks: Philodendron tenue is one of the light-hungry Philodendrons, the plant adapts strongly to its environmental conditions. When grown in light, the internodes and petioles are short and the leaves are slightly leathery and compact; when grown in dark conditions, the petioles can grow up to 1m long, the leaves become significantly larger and are softer. This strong adaptation explains the large distribution area and makes Philodendron tenue an ideal plant for beginners or an easy-to-cultivate species in any collection.