Identifying True Philodendron Sodiroi vs Sodiroi aff | Plant ID with me

Another short plant ID guide to help you identify the differences between a true Philodendron Sodiroi and the commonly sold 'Sodiroi aff'

True Sodiroi are much harder to come by in the UK and many sellers accidentally mislabel their plants as Sodiroi, when in fact they are a Sodiroi aff.

In botany, aff means 'species affinis', or that a plant shares similarities and characteristics with another species, yet is not formally described. Sodiroi affs are often hybrids, and are commonly sold in the open market. Ecuagenera are also one of the main exporters of these plants.

Although they might appear similar, they are two distinctly different plants:
1. Sodiroi aff have a blushed sinus, whereas true Sodiroi don't.
2. Sodiroi aff have closed, and in some circumstances, overlapping lobes. True Sodiroi have wide lobes with a distinctive dip.
3. Sodiroi aff have smooth green petioles, whereas true Sodiroi have rough petioles that are red in colour.
4. Finally, Sodiroi aff are usually creepers, whereas true plants are climbers which will appreciate being given support to climb and will reward you with much bigger leaves.

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Special thanks to @botanizer for his help in providing some of the Sodiroi information used in this video! https://www.instagram.com/botanizer/?...

Further reading and resources:
Philodendron Enthusiasts -   / 2597740533797947  

Photographs:
Sodiroi aff images by Mella's Jungle - https://www.instagram.com/mellasjungl...

Sodiroi full plant image by Logees - https://www.logees.com=

I am not an expert by any means and am always learning, so if you have any more information or corrections please leave a comment. Thank you.