Anthurium Origins

Anthurium Origins-If you are new to gardening, try Anthurium!  It is one of the hottest houseplants today.

What is the Anthurium origin? Who is the figure behind its discovery? Here are some details that might be interesting for you to know …

Anthurium is a native plant from the tropical rainforest of Colombia, Guatemala and the Amazon region in Brazil. It grows as an epiphyte, meaning that it grows in and on the trees but it doesn’t take the trees’ nutrients. The plant thrives there because it gets enough light with no bright sun. It is always in a warm and humid spot.

The first species of Anthurium was discovered by an Austrian doctor and botanist—Dr. Karl van Scherzer. After the discovery, Dr. Karl van Scherzer then named the plant after his name, which is Anthurium scherzerianum. This plant has orange-red curly spadix and can grow up to 30 – 45 cm tall. Anthurium scherzerianum produces shiny, lance-shaped leaves which length can reach about 20 cm. This species of Anthurium has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit as an ornamental plant.

Although Anthurium origins are from Colombia, Guatemala and the Amazon, the genus name Anthurium, which has a literal translation as “Flowering Tail,” is derived from the Greek, ‘Anthos” and “Oura.” This name is following its flowering manner because it consists of a spathe and a spadix, on which the flowers bloom.  This is why Anthurium belongs to the Arum family. 

Anthurium is easy to look after because it can thrive with only simple care. It can be kept in a bright place with indirect light at a temperature of 15 °C (60 °F) or higher. Because of the ease in Anthurium care, the first-time gardener who is interested in houseplants chooses Anthurium as their first-ever plant.

Not only that it is easy to look after, but it is also attractive to look at. Today, there are a lot of Anthurium varieties that you choose. The Anthurium varieties of the tail flowers are i.e., Andreanum Grp, Shining Spathes, or Straight Spike. The choices range from large, loose shapes with bracts like elephant ears to lovely compact varieties with small bracts—which are often mistaken as Anthurium’s “flowers”.  Does it mean that Anthurium does not have flowers? Nope! Anthurium has flowers, but they are very small and are all found in the spike. The bracts of Anthurium come in various colors including red, white, lilac, pink, lemon—even, green. Furthermore, there are also the Anthurium varieties of the flamingo flowers with their distinctive shape and color i.e. A. Scherzerianum Grp (matt spathes and spiral spike). 

The plant is said to symbolize hospitality due to its open, heart-shaped bracts. Thus, it can emphasize the hospitality personality of your house. If you plant Anthurium in your house, the white bract variety will give your house an elegant feeling whilst the colorful ones will make your house livelier. Whatever your choice is, please do make sure that you take care of it well.