𝗔𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀: Scindapsus crassipes, Philodendron Madagascar, Philodendron sp. “Madagascar”
𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆: Araceae
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝘂𝘀: Scindapsus
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀: Scindapsus crassipes Engl.
𝗡𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀: Accepted botanical species
𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻 / 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Borneo; type material collected by Odoardo Beccari in Sarawak
Scindapsus crassipes is an accepted botanical species described by Adolf Engler and published in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik in 1880. The type is Beccari P.B. 202 from Sarawak, Borneo.
The species is native to Borneo and grows as a climbing epiphyte in wet tropical environments. Indonesian botanical records also document it from Kalimantan.
The name crassipes refers to the notably thick or stout stalk described for the plant. Engler's original description emphasizes a thick stem, thick and fleshy leaf stalks, and thick, leathery leaves.
The leaves are generally oblong to elliptic, narrowing toward both ends. Published descriptions also document prominent side veins with numerous finer veins between them. The leaf stalk is substantial and may reach about half the length of the leaf blade.
Although Scindapsus crassipes is a climber, its mature appearance can be surprisingly compact. The original description notes leaves crowded closely together on the thick stem. This can produce a dense cluster of foliage in which the climbing stem is not immediately obvious, rather than the more visibly trailing or widely spaced growth people may associate with Scindapsus.
Historical botanical illustrations of Scindapsus crassipes were published in Odoardo Beccari's Malesia, where the species appears on plate 21, figures 14–16.
The species has also been encountered horticulturally under the name “Philodendron Madagascar” and similar wording such as “Philodendron sp. Madagascar.” These are horticultural usages rather than botanical synonyms. No botanical evidence has been identified connecting Scindapsus crassipes with Madagascar, and its accepted native range is Borneo. The history of how the Madagascar name became associated with plants identified horticulturally as S. crassipes remains unresolved.
Scindapsus beccarii has historically been associated taxonomically with S. crassipes in older literature, including treatment at varietal rank. Current botanical treatments recognize Scindapsus beccarii and Scindapsus crassipes as separate accepted species.
Variegated Greens classification: Accepted botanical species.
The botanical identity and Bornean origin of Scindapsus crassipes are established. The origin and original meaning of the horticultural name “Philodendron Madagascar,” and the circumstances under which it became associated with S. crassipes, remain unresolved.
Research current as of September 2026.