About
Anthurium formosum is a large-leaved aroid from Nicaragua to Colombia and north-western Venezuela, often one of the commonest anthuriums at middle elevations.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Listed as a problem for dogs and cats: contains calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth if chewed. General guidance for the genus
- People
- Poisonous if eaten (low severity): calcium oxalate causes drooling, mouth and lip swelling, trouble swallowing and vomiting; sap irritates skin and eyes. General guidance for the genus
- Light
- Bright, indirect light; direct sun can scorch the leaves, and too little light slows growth and reduces flowering. General guidance for the genus
- Water
- Water when the surface of the mix feels dry; rainwater or purified water is preferred. Overwatering leads to root rot. General guidance for the genus
- Humidity
- Warm, very humid air; leaf tips turn brown when humidity is too low. General guidance for the genus
- Temperature
- About 18–29 °C (65–85 °F). General guidance for the genus
- Soil
- Moist but well-drained, slightly acidic mix. General guidance for the genus
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings or seed. General guidance for the genus
- Hardiness
- Tropical; will not survive winter outdoors outside tropical climates. General guidance for the genus
“General guidance for the genus” marks advice sourced for the genus as a whole rather than this species.
Field notes
Morphology
Grows on trees or on the ground. Leaves are large, 30–80 cm long and 20–52 cm wide.
Distribution & habitat
Nicaragua to Colombia and north-western Venezuela, mostly at 500–1,500 m, where it can form large stands.
Ecology
The spadix is coated in a spearmint-scented wax that attracts euglossine (orchid) bees.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- Nicaragua, Colombia, Venezuela
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
- Temperature
- About 18–29 °C (65–85 °F).
- Humidity
- Warm, very humid air; leaf tips turn brown when humidity is too low.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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