Editing Philodendron (section)

==Reproduction==

===Sexual===
[[File:Philodendron martianum.jpg|right|thumb|Inflorescence from ''[[Philodendron martianum]]'']]
When philodendrons are ready to reproduce, they will produce an [[inflorescence]] which consists of a leaf-like hood called a [[spathe]] within which is enclosed a tube-like structure called a [[spadix (botany)|spadix]].<ref name="Chouteau1">{{harvnb|Chouteau|Barabé|Gibernau|2006|p=818 }}</ref> Depending on the species, a single inflorescence can be produced or a cluster of up to 11 [[inflorescences]] can be produced at a single time on short [[peduncle (botany)|peduncles]]. The spathe tends to be waxy and is usually bicolored. In some philodendrons, the color of the base of the spathe contrasts in color with the upper part, and in others, the inner and outer surfaces of the spathe differ in coloration. The paler color tends to be either white or green, and the darker usually red or crimson. [[Pelargonidin]] is the predominant [[pigment]] causing the red coloration in the spathes. The upper portion of the spathe is called the limb or blade, while the lower portion is called the convolute tube or chamber due to its tubular structure at the base. The spadix is more often than not white and shorter than the spathe. On the spadix are found fertile female, fertile male, and sterile male flowers. The fertile male and female flowers are separated on the spadix by a sterile zone or staminodal region composed of sterile male flowers. This barrier of sterile male flowers ensures fertile male flowers do not fertilize the female flowers. The arrangement tends to be vertical, with fertile male flowers at the top of the spadix followed by sterile male flowers, and fertile female flowers very close to the bottom in the region known as the spathe tube or chamber.<ref name="Barabé">{{harvnb|Barabé|Gibernau|Forest|2002|p=80 }}</ref> In some philodendrons, an additional region of sterile male flowers is found at the very top of the spadix. The fertile female flowers are often not receptive to fertilization when the fertile males are producing [[pollen]], which again prevents [[self-pollination]]. The pollen itself is thread-like and appears to project out from the region where the fertile male flowers are located.

[[Sexual reproduction]] is achieved by means of [[beetles]], with many philodendron species requiring the presence of a specific beetle species to achieve pollination. The reverse is not always the case, as many beetle species will pollinate more than one philodendron species. These same beetles could also pollinate other genera outside of philodendron, as well as outside of the family [[Araceae]]. The pollinating beetles are males and members of the subfamily Rutelinae and [[Dynastinae]], and to date the only beetles seen to pollinate the inflorescence are in the genera ''[[Cyclocephala]]'' or ''[[Erioscelis]]''.<ref name="Gibernau4">{{harvnb|Gibernau|Barabé|Cerdan|Dejean|1999|p=1135 }}</ref> Other smaller types of beetles in the genus'' Neelia'' visit the inflorescences, as well, but they are not believed to be involved in pollinating philodendrons. To attract the beetles, the sterile male flowers give off [[pheromones]] to attract the male beetles, usually at dusk. This process, female [[anthesis]], is followed by male anthesis, in which the pollen is produced. Female anthesis typically lasts up to two days and includes the gradual opening of the spathe to allow the beetles to enter. Some evidence suggests the timing of opening of the spathe is dependent on light levels, where cloudy, darker days result in the spathe opening up earlier than on clear days. During female anthesis, the spadix will project forward at roughly 45° relative to the spathe.

Once female anthesis is nearing its end and the female flowers have been pollinated, the spathe will be fully open and male anthesis begins. In the beginning of male anthesis, the fertile male flowers complete the process of producing the pollen and the female flowers become unreceptive to further pollination. Additionally, the spadix moves from its 45° position and presses up flush to the spathe. Towards the end of male anthesis, the spathe begins to close from the bottom, working its way up and forcing the beetles to move up and across the upper region of the spathe, where the fertile male flowers are located. In doing so, the philodendron controls when the beetles come and when they leave and forces them to rub against the top of the spadix where the pollen is located as they exit, thus ensuring they are well-coated with pollen. One would expect the beetles to stay indefinitely if they could due to the very favorable conditions the inflorescence provides. After male anthesis, the males will go off and find another philodendron undergoing female anthesis, so will pollinate the female flowers with the pollen it had collected from its previous night of mating.

===Fruit===
Botanically, the fruit produced is a [[berry (botany)|berry]].<ref name="Gonçalves2">{{harvnb|Gonçalves|1997|p=500 }}</ref> The berries develop later in the season; berry development time varies from species to species from a few weeks to a year, although most philodendrons take a few months. The [[spathe]] will enlarge to hold the maturing berries. Once the fruit are mature, the spathe will begin to open again, but this time it will break off at the base and fall to the forest floor. Additionally, the berries are edible, although they contain calcium oxalate crystals, and have a taste akin to bananas. Many botanical sources will indicate that the berries are poisonous, probably due to the oxalate crystals. Many tropical plants contain oxalates in varying amounts. Sometimes proper preparation can render these harmless, and in many cases eating minor amounts causes most people no distress or minor gastric irritation. However, care should be taken to verify the toxicity of any particular species before ingesting these berries, particularly regularly or in large amounts.

The color of the berries can vary depending on the species, but most produce a white berry with slight tones of green. Some produce orange berries and others yellow berries, though. Still others will produce berries that start off white, but then change to another color with time. Philodendrons that produce orange berries tend to be members of the section ''Calostigma''. Contained within the berries are the seeds which are extremely small compared to other members of the family Araceae. The berries often give off odors to attract animals to eat and disperse them. For example, ''[[Philodendron alliodorum]]'' berries are known to emit an odor similar to that of garlic. The animals that distribute the seeds depends on the species, but some possible dispersers include bats and monkeys.<ref name="Vieira">{{harvnb|Vieira|Izar|1999|pp=75–82 }}</ref><ref name="Gorchov">{{harvnb|Gorchov|Cornejo|Ascorra|Jaramillo|1995|p=240 }}</ref> Insects also may be responsible for dispersing seeds, as beetles and wasps have been seen feeding on philodendron berries.

[[Eurytomidae|Eurytomid wasps]] also seek out philodendrons and are known to lay their eggs in the ovaries of many ''Philodendron'' species, resulting in galled inflorescences.<ref name="Gibernau2">{{harvnb|Gibernau|Albre|Dejean|Barabé|2002|pp=1017–1023 }}</ref>

===Hybridization===
Philodendrons exhibit extremely few physical reproductive barriers to prevent [[hybrid (biology)|hybridization]], but very few natural hybrids are found in nature. This may be because philodendrons have many geographic and time barriers to prevent any such cross pollination.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}} For example, it is rare for more than one philodendron species to be flowering at the same time or to be pollinated by the same species of beetles. The beetles have also been observed to be selective to the height of the plant they pollinate, which would serve as an additional preventive measure to make hybrids less likely. Because of these outside barriers, philodendrons may not have had to evolve physical mechanisms to prevent cross-pollination.{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}} Hybrids in nature are only rarely reported. When found, these hybrids often can show remarkable genetic relationships. Crosses between two philodendrons in different sections can occur successfully.