ANTHORIUM FLAMINGO

Anthurium andraeanum or Flamingo Lily is a herbaceous evergreen plant that grows to 40 cm in height. The dark green leaves are heart-shaped and glossy. The inflorescence is made up of a cream yellow tail-like spadix and waxy red spathe. Coupled with frequent blooming and tolerance to partial shade, it is cultivated to produce various colours and sizes of spathe, making Flamingo Lily a popular houseplant.

1. CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

• Plant Division Angiosperms

• Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant

• Lifespan Perennial

• Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
• Plant Shape Open

Maximum Height 0.4

BIOGEOGRAPHY

• Native Distribution Colombia, Ecuador

• Native Habitat Terrestrial
• Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
• Local Conservation Status Exotic

DESCRIPTION AND ETHNOBOTANY

1. Growth Form

It is an small, upright herbaceous plant that grows to 40 cm in height. Adventitious roots may occur in some plants.

• Foliage

Its foliage are heart-shaped, glossy with a smooth leaf margin. The dark green leaves can measure up to 20 cm long.

• Flowers

Its flowers are axillary, produced on a spadix inflorescence. The inflorescence comprise of a cream-yellow tail-like spadix and bright red spathe that is wide, flat and waxy. The long lasting flowers can bloom multiple times yearly when optimum conditions are met.

• Fruits

Its fruits are small, round, yellow in colour produced along the spadix. Fruits are rarely observed on indoor plants.

• Cultivation

Anthurium grows well in moist, well-drained soil. Locations which are window-facing can promote better blooms and faster growth. Wipe the foliage periodically to remove dust.

• Etymology

The genus Anthurium means flower-tail, which refers to the tail-like spadix. The specific epithet andraeanum is named after Edouard F. Andre (1840-1911), a French botanist and horticultural editor.
Ethnobotanical Uses Cut – Dried Flower ( Cut flowers)