Anthurium

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Anthurium
Anthurium3.JPG
Anthurium sp.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Pothoideae
Tribe: Anthurieae
Genus: Anthurium
Schott
Type species
Anthurium acaule [1]
Species

See list of species

Anthurium distribution.jpg
Range of the genus Anthurium
Synonyms [2]
  • PodospadixRaf.
  • StrepsantheraRaf.

Anthurium ( /ænˈθjuːriəm/ ; [3] Schott, 1829) is a genus of about 1,000 [4] [5] species of flowering plants, the largest genus of the arum family, Araceae. [4] General common names include anthurium, tailflower, flamingo flower, [6] pigtail plant, [7] and laceleaf. [8] [9] [10]

Contents

The genus is native to the Americas, where it is distributed from northern Mexico to northern Argentina and parts of the Caribbean. [11]

Description and biology

Anthurium is a genus of herbs often growing as epiphytes on other plants. Some are terrestrial. The leaves are often clustered and are variable in shape. The inflorescence bears small flowers which are perfect, containing male and female structures. The flowers are contained in close together spirals on the spadix. The spadix is often elongated into a spike shape, but it can be globe-shaped or club-shaped. Beneath the spadix is the spathe, a type of bract. This is variable in shape, as well, but it is lance-shaped in many species. It may extend out flat or in a curve. Sometimes it covers the spadix like a hood. The fruits develop from the flowers on the spadix. They are juicy berries varying in color, usually containing two seeds. [12]

The spadix and spathe are a main focus of Anthurium breeders, who develop cultivars in bright colors and unique shapes. Anthurium scherzerianum and A. andraeanum, two of the most common taxa in cultivation, are the only species that grow bright red spathes. They have also been bred to produce spathes in many other colors and patterns. [13]

Anthurium plants are poisonous due to calcium oxalate crystals. The sap is irritating to the skin and eyes. [6]

Cultivation

Anthurium scherzerianum inflorescence Anthurium scherzerianum 2.jpg
Anthurium scherzerianum inflorescence

Like other aroids, many species of Anthurium plant can be grown as houseplants, or outdoors in mild climates in shady spots, including Anthurium crystallinum and Anthurium clarinervium with its large, velvety, dark green leaves and silvery white venation. Many hybrids are derived from Anthurium andraeanum or Anthurium scherzerianum because of their colorful spathes. They thrive in moist soils with high organic matter. In milder climates the plants can be grown in pots of soil. Indoors plants thrive at temperatures of 16–22 °C (61–72 °F) and at lower light than other house plants. Wiping the leaves off with water will remove any dust and insects. Plants in pots with good root systems will benefit from a weak fertilizer solution every other week. In the case of vining or climbing Anthuriums, the plants benefit from being provided with a totem to climb. [14]

Propagation

Anthurium can be propagated by seed or vegetatively by cuttings. In the commercial Anthurium trade, most propagation is via tissue culture. [15]

Species

For a full list, see the List of Anthurium species.

Anthurium andraeanum Princess Amalia Elegance Anthurium andreanum Princess Amalia Elegance.jpg
Anthurium andraeanum Princess Amalia Elegance

In 1860 there were 183 species known to science, and Heinrich Wilhelm Schott defined them in 28 sections in the book Prodromus Systematis Aroidearum. [16] In 1905 the genus was revised with a description of 18 sections. [17] In 1983 the genus was divided into the following sections: [18]

Toxicity

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Araceae</span> Family of flowering plants

The Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe. Also known as the arum family, members are often colloquially known as aroids. This family of 114 genera and about 3,750 known species is most diverse in the New World tropics, although also distributed in the Old World tropics and northern temperate regions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spadix (botany)</span> Type of inflorescence

In botany, a spadix is a type of inflorescence having small flowers borne on a fleshy stem. Spadices are typical of the family Araceae, the arums or aroids. The spadix is typically surrounded by a leaf-like curved bract known as a spathe. For example, the "flower" of the well known Anthurium spp. is a typical spadix with a large colorful spathe.

<i>Philodendron</i> Genus of flowering plants

Philodendron is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae. As of June 2013, the Plants of the World Online accepted 621 species; other sources accept different numbers. Regardless of number of species, the genus is the second-largest member of the family Araceae, after genus Anthurium. Taxonomically, the genus Philodendron is still poorly known, with many undescribed species. Many are grown as ornamental and indoor plants. The name derives from the Greek words philo- 'love, affection' and dendron 'tree'. The generic name, Philodendron, is often used as the English name.

<i>Spathiphyllum</i> Genus of plants

Spathiphyllum is a genus of about 60 species of monocotyledonous flowering plants in the family Araceae, native to tropical regions of the Americas and southeastern Asia. Certain species of Spathiphyllum are commonly known as spath or peace lilies.

<i>Zantedeschia</i> Genus of flowering plants in the arum family Araceae

Zantedeschia is a genus of eight species of herbaceous, perennial, flowering plants in the aroid family, Araceae, native to southern Africa(from South Africa northeast to Malawi). The genus has been introduced, in some form, on every continent.

<i>Lysichiton</i> Genus of flowering plants

Lysichiton is a genus in the family Araceae. These plants are known commonly as skunk cabbage or less often as swamp lantern. The spelling Lysichitum is also found. The genus has two species, one found in north-east Asia, the other in north-west America.

<i>Arisaema triphyllum</i> Species of flowering plant

Arisaema triphyllum, the Jack-in-the-pulpit, is a species of flowering plant in the arum family Araceae. It is a member of the Arisaema triphyllum complex, a group of four or five closely related taxa in eastern North America. The specific name triphyllum means "three-leaved", a characteristic feature of the species, which is also referred to as Indian turnip, bog onion, and brown dragon.

<i>Zamioculcas</i> Species of plant

Zamioculcas is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae, containing the single species Zamioculcas zamiifolia. It is a tropical herbaceous perennial plant, and is native to eastern Africa, including Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Its common names include Zanzibar gem, ZZ plant, Zuzu plant, aroid palm, eternity plant and emerald palm. It is grown as a houseplant, mainly because it has attractive glossy foliage and is easy to care for. Zamioculcas zamiifolia is winter-hardy in USDA Zones 9 and 10.

<i>Spathiphyllum wallisii</i> Species of flowering plant

Spathiphyllum wallisii, commonly known as peace lily, white sails, or spathe flower, is a very popular indoor house plant of the family Araceae. The genus name means "spathe-leaf", and the specific epithet is named after Gustav Wallis, the German plant collector. It was first described in 1877.

Carlephyton is a genus of four species in the family Araceae, all endemic to Madagascar.

<i>Lagenandra</i> Genus of flowering plants

Lagenandra is a genus of aquatic flowering plants in the aroid family, Araceae, endemic to the Indian Subcontinent. The genus has gradually become more known through the aquascaping and aquarium hobby, in which several related Araceae genera are already highly prized and grown on a large scale ; Lagenandra, however, is still relatively rare in cultivation or private collections.

<i>Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum</i> Species of epiphyte

Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum is a plant in the genus Thaumatophyllum, in the family Araceae. Previously it was classified in the genus Philodendron within subgenus Meconostigma. The commonly used names Philodendron bipinnatifidum and Philodendron selloanum are synonyms. This plant is native to South America, namely to Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay, but is also cultivated as a landscape plant in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates.

<i>Anthurium andraeanum</i> Species of plant

Anthurium andraeanum is a flowering plant species in the family Araceae that is native to Colombia and Ecuador. It is a winner of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

<i>Anthurium crystallinum</i> Species of plant

Anthurium crystallinum is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae, native to rainforest margins in Central and South America, from Panama to Peru. Growing to around 90 cm (35 in) tall and wide, A. crystallinum is an epiphytic perennial evergreen, known for its dark green and velvety-textured, heart-shaped leaves featuring prominent white veining, and somewhat resembles a smaller version of Anthurium magnificum. The inflorescence is a somewhat visually-nondescript spathe with a pale green spadix, appearing throughout the year.

<i>Thaumatophyllum xanadu</i> Species of flowering plant

Thaumatophyllum xanadu is a perennial plant belonging to the arum family Araceae and the genus Thaumatophyllum, formerly classified under the Meconostigma subgenus of Philodendron. This plant is native to Brazil, but is widely cultivated as a landscape plant in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate climates.

<i>Anthurium clarinervium</i> Species of flowering plant

Anthurium clarinervium is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae native to Chiapas, Mexico. The Anthurium genus is known to contain approximately 1,000 species, resulting in one of the most diverse Central American tropical plant genera.

<i>Anthurium scherzerianum</i> Species of plant in the genus Anthurium

Anthurium scherzerianum, the flamingo flower or pigtail plant, is a species of Anthurium native to Costa Rica. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as an ornamental houseplant, kept at 15 °C (60 °F) or higher. It is naturally an epiphyte, growing on trees in the rainforest.

Thaumatophyllum adamantinum is a plant in the genus Thaumatophyllum, in the family Araceae. It is native to South America, namely to Southeast Brazil, but is also cultivated as a houseplant in cooler climates.

<i>Anthurium wendlingeri</i> Species of plant

Anthurium wendlingeri is a species of aroid plant, in the genus Anthurium, found from Central to South America, from SE Nicaragua to NW Colombia. It grows in moist, montane tropical habitats as an epiphyte. Unique among its genus, A. wendlingeri has long, pendant and strap-like leaves, and can have a slightly velvety appearance.

Anthurium lentii is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae, native to Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama. It grows in wet tropical habitats, and is a member of section Digitinervium.

References

  1. ↑ ING Database ANTHURIUM - Smithsonian Institution
  2. ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. ↑ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  4. 1 2 Mantovani, A. and T. E. Pereira. (2005). Anthurium (section Urospadix; subsection Flavescentiviridia). Rodriguesia 56(88), 145–60.
  5. ↑ Haigh, A. Araceae. Archived 2020-11-12 at the Wayback Machine Neotropical Araceae. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  6. 1 2 Anthurium spp. Archived 2013-10-03 at the Wayback Machine Poisonous Plants of North Carolina. North Carolina State University.
  7. ↑ "Flamingo Flower | ASPCA". www.aspca.org. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
  8. ↑ Anthurium. ITIS.
  9. ↑ Govaerts, R. & Frodin, D.G. (2002). World Checklist and Bibliography of Araceae (and Acoraceae): 1–560. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  10. ↑ Nadruz Coelho, M.A., Waechter, J.L. & Mayo, S.J. (2009). Revisão taxonômica das espécies de Anthurium (Araceae) seção Urospadix subseção Flavescentiviridia. Rodriguésia; Revista do Instituto de Biologia Vegetal, Jardim Botânico e Estaçao Biologica do Itatiaya 60: 799–864.
  11. ↑ Croat, T. (1983). A revision of the genus Anthurium (Araceae) of Mexico and Central America. Part 1: Mexico and Middle America. Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 70: 211–417.
  12. ↑ Croat, T. B. Anthurium description. aroid.org
  13. ↑ Anthurium scherzerianum (flamingo flower). Archived 2013-10-23 at the Wayback Machine Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  14. ↑ "How to grow anthurium". BBC Gardeners World Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
  15. ↑ Chen, J., et al. Cultural guidelines for commercial production of interiorscape Anthurium. ENH956. Environmental Horticulture. Florida Cooperative Extension Service. University of Florida IFAS. Published 2003, revised 2009.
  16. ↑ Schott, H. W. Prodromus Systematis Aroidearum. Wien. 1860.
  17. ↑ Engler, A. (1905). Araceae-Pothoideae. Das Pflanzenreich IV. 23B, Heft 21, pp. 1–330.
  18. ↑ Sections of Anthurium. Archived December 31, 2007, at the Wayback Machine aroid.org
  19. ↑ "Anthurium | Description, Houseplant, Poisonous, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
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