Anthurium Facts
The anthurium, an herbaceous epiphyte of the family Araceae, originally hails from South and Central America. Today, it is grown all over the world. |
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Anthuriums are referred to by various names such as painted tongue, flamingo flower, boy flower or tail flower. This plant genus encompasses about 1000 varied species. The genus is believed to be large and complicated.Although many of its species have been studied, newer variations seem to crop up every year. Anthuriums are seen to be growing as hemi-epiphytes and lithophytes as well. Seen in shades of red, pink, lilac, white, brown and green, the word anthurium flower is actually a misnomer. The actual flower of this plant is a centrally located spike about 3mm in size; whereas what seems as a flower is the leaf of the plant known as spathe. So, scientifically speaking, anthuriums are cultivated for their vibrant spathes and ornate leaves. The texture of the leaves could be leathery, papery or fragile. The flowers of anthuriums are hermaphrodites giving off varied aromas facilitating the process of pollination. The fruit is a berry that could be single or multiple seeded.
Anthuriums require well drained soil that is rich in organic content. The plant responds best to sandy loam or heavy clay. The plant needs to be watered well particularly after plantation. Thereafter, the soil’s quality of good drainage prevents the stem and root from rotting. The optimum temperature conditions for its growth are day temperatures between 78 and 90 degrees and night temperatures between 70 and 75 degrees. Neither does the plant need direct rays of the sun, nor does it have the capability to withstand frost. The plant can be grown by vegetative propagation, fertilization, seeds or tissue culture.
Some of the common varieties of anthuriums include Flowering, Velvet Leafed, Pendulous or Hanging basket types, Palmate leafed. Anthurium spathes primarily grow in three shapes namely; tulip, standard and obake. The length of the stem depends upon the size of the spathe. At an average, the plant attains a height of 15 to 20 inches. The leaves are huge with delightful colors but it is the leafy bracts of the plant that form its major attraction.
All parts of the plant are known to be unsafe for consumption. Intake of any part could result in problems related to the stomach. The sap of the plant is known to cause skin irritability.
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