Thursday, December 3, 2009

anthurian

Anthurium (pronounced /ænˈθjʊəriəm/)[1] (Schott, 1829), is a large genus of about 600- 800 (possibly 1,000) species, belonging to the arum family (Araceae). Anthurium can also be called "Flower" or "Boy Flower", both referring to the structure of the spathe and spadix.

TROPICOS lists 1901 types, although some of these are duplicates. It is one of the largest and probably the most complex genus of this family; certainly it is one of the most variable. Many species are undoubtedly not yet described and new ones are being found every year. The species has neotropical distribution; mostly in wet tropical mountain forest of Central America and South America, but some in semi-arid environments. Most species occur in Panama, Colombia, Brazil, the Guiana Shield and Ecuador. According to the work of noted aroid botanist Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botanical Garden, this genus is not found in Asia.[2] Some species have been introduced into Asian rain forests, but are not endemic.

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[edit]Growth habits

Anthurium grows in many forms, mostly evergreen, bushy or climbing epiphytes with roots that can hang from the canopy all the way to the floor of the rain forest. There are also many terrestrial forms which are found as understory plants, as well as hemiepiphytic forms. A hemiepiphyte is a plant capable of beginning life as a seed and sending roots to the soil, or beginning as a terrestrial plant that climbs a tree and then sends roots back to the soil. They occur also as lithophytes. Some are only found in association with arboreal antcolonies or growing on rocks in midstream (such as Anthurium amnicola).

The stems are short to elongate with a length between 15 and 30 cm. The simple leaves come in many shapes; most leaves are to be found at the end of the stems, although terrestrial plants show less of this pachycaul tendency. Leaves may be spatulate, rounded, or obtuse at the apex. They may be borne erect or spreading in a rosette, with a length that may surpass 100 cm in some of the larger species (such as Anthurium angamarcanum). The upper surface of the leaf may be matte, semiglossy, or fully glossy, and the leaf texture may range from leathery to fragile and papery. The leaves are petiolate and possess a structure called the geniculum, which is unique to the genus Anthurium. The geniculum allows the plant to swivel its leaves towards the sun, much in the same manner as sunflowers. In drier environments, the leaves can form a bird's-nest shaped rosette that enables the plant to collect falling debris, and thus water and natural fertilizer. Terrestrial growers or epiphytes often have cordate leaves; others grow as vines with rosettes of lanceolate leaves, and still others have many-lobed leaves.

[edit]Flowering and fruiting

Anthurium flowers are small (about 3 mm) and develop crowded in a spike on a fleshy axis, called a spadix, a characteristic of the Araceae. The flowers on the spadix are often divided sexually with a sterile band separating male from female flowers. This spadix can take on many forms (club-shaped, tapered, spiraled, and globe-shaped) and colors (white, green, purple, red, pink, or a combination).

The spadix is part of an inflorescence, the outer portion of which is known as the spathe. The spathe may be a single color (yellow, green, or white) or possibly multicolored including burgundy and red. That sometimes colorful, solitary spathe is a showy modified bract that can be somewhat leathery in texture. Anthurium grown for the florist trade generally have highly coloured spathes and spadices. There are no flowers on the spathe as is sometimes thought; flowers are found solely on the spadix. The spathe can vary in color from pale green to white, rose, orange or shiny red (such as A. andrenaum). The color changes between the bud stage and the anthesis, (the time the flower expands). Thus the color might change from pale green to reddish purple to reddish brown.

The flowers are hermaphrodite, containing male and female flowers. The fruits are usually berries with one to multiple seeds on an infructescence that may be pendant or erect depending on species. Anthurium berries may range in colour from bright red to black, and may also be bicoloured or shaded. The flowers of Anthurium give off a variety of fragrances, each attracting a variety of specific pollinators.

Several species are popular in the florist trade as pot plants or cut flowers and for interior decoration. They include forms such as A. crystallinum f peltifolium with its large, velvety, darkgreen leaves and silvery white venation. Most hybrids are based on A. andreanum or A. scherzerianumbecause of their colorful spathes. Anthurium can also be called "Flamingo Flower" or "Boy Flower", both referring to the structure of the spathe and spadix.

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How to Grow Anthurium Plants

By , About.com Guide

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The are two groups of anthurium grown in greenhouses:
flowering varieties and those with magnificent foliage. The only ones you're likely to see in the garden center are the flowering varieties with their multicolored spathes and red or yellow tail-like flower spikes. But if you are intrepid, you might come across a few of the large-leaved, deeply veined foliage types. Be warned: neither type of anthurium is particularly well-suited for most houses. Native to tropical rainforests throughout Central and South America, many anthuriums are climbers and all need very high humdity and warmth to thrive.

Growing Conditions:

Light: Bright, indirect light. Do not expose to direct sunlight, except in the winter or plants that have been carefully acclimated.
Water: Keep compost moist at all times, but not drenched. Foliage anthurium throw off aerial roots that appreciate misting and can be pushed into the soil.
Temperature: They suffer below 60ºF. The foliage types prefer it even warmer.
Soil: Rich, loose potting media. Push exposed roots into the soil.
Fertilizer: Use liquid fertilizer throughout the growing period or pellets in the spring.

Propagation:

Divide during repotting, or take cuttings from the tip or stem. Older foliage plants might overgrow the top of their pots with exposed aerial roots. These can be cut off at the soil level and potted into new pots. Leaves will emerge from the old stem.

Repotting:

Repot annually as needed. They don't suffer from being slightly underpotted, however, so only repot if necessary. When repotting, use high-quality potting soil.

Varieties:

The anthuriums are collector's plants, and many of the most magnificent varieties are rare outside of greenhouses and botanical gardens. Varieties include:
  • A. andreanum. Heart-shaped leaves up to 1 ft., with flowers available in red, white, pink and variegated. Distinguished by a straight flower spike.
  • A. scherzerianum. The most forgiving of anthuriums, it features a curling orange flower spike. Leaves are arrow shaped.
  • A. crystallinum. Deep green, velvety leaves with pronounced white ribs. Leaves up to 2 ft. across.
  • A. faustinomirandae. A monster with cardboard-stiff leaves up to 5 ft. long. A greenhouse plant.

    Grower's Tips:

    All anthuriums prefer plenty of warmth, regular moisture and ample fertilizer. The easiest to grow is the A. scherzerianum, which is the most common in garden centers. Flowering anthuriums will flower any time of the year, providing they are healthy. Foliage anthuriums are mostly found at speciality greenhouses or through online nurseries. To grow them best, approximate conditions found in tropical zones, and if necessary, provide a climbing support for foliage varieties.
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