Anthurium crystallinum × regale

Origin and background of Anthurium crystallinum × regale

This horticultural hybrid combines Anthurium crystallinum, chiefly an epiphyte of wet forest from Panama to Colombia, with Anthurium regale, a terrestrial species from humid Peruvian forest around the Huallaga drainage. The cross joins two different forest positions and two scales of velvet foliage in cultivation.

Growing Anthurium indoors

• Humidity and airflow: Keep humidity high while the large new blades expand, and provide mild air circulation around the crown. Let wet foliage dry quickly.
• Watering: Allow the upper part of the aerated root zone to dry before watering, then saturate the whole ball and drain it fully without forcing a complete dry-out around active root tips.
• Temperature: Give Anthurium crystallinum × regale even indoor warmth, with protection from chilling draughts and prolonged heat.
• Substrate and repotting: Treat the existing container as the reference point for Anthurium crystallinum × regale: observe drainage, pot weight and the response of the well-aerated root zone and emerging foliage, then schedule repotting around active roots instead of an arbitrary number of days.
• Leaf care and propagation: Give the expanding leaves generous clearance and support a top-heavy pot before the blades reach full size. Brush dry foliage gently and propagate from rooted offsets or node-bearing stem sections.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium crystallinum × regale

• When leaves yellow or lose firmness: When the surface is dry, the pot feels light and the leaf softens, watering is due; rehydrate the root ball evenly, then empty all runoff. When the middle of the mix stays wet and leaves yellow softly, suspect root stress; wait for the pot to lighten while checking the centre of the root ball. A single ageing leaf is expected from time to time.
• New-growth damage from pests: Thrips clues include distorted new growth and silver feeding marks; pale dust-like speckling across older leaves points towards mites. Use a hand lens along veins, undersides and protected leaf bases; repeat the same check on neighbouring plants. Quarantine the plant, then treat the sheath, underside and upper leaf with a correctly labelled product; follow the product label then check the same hiding places after treatment.
• New leaves tearing or folding: A large soft blade can tear or fold when it meets a wall or neighbouring plant. Clear its full opening path and stabilise the pot before the petiole gains weight.
• Crisping at the tip and margin: Tip browning often records a dry spell; look for the same pattern on the newest mature leaf. Use current moisture deeper in the pot to choose the response; if the root ball is still damp, flush salts when watering is due and move the leaf away from hot glass.

Anthurium crystallinum × regale is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

When were Anthurium crystallinum and Anthurium regale first published, and what do the names mean?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. The epithet crystallinum is Latin for crystalline, referring to the bright, crystal-like leaf veins. The epithet regale is Latin for royal.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Anthurium in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 828.

Jean Jules Linden and Édouard-François André first described Anthurium crystallinum in 1873 in Catalogue Général, volume 90, plate 128.

Jean Jules Linden first described Anthurium regale in 1866 in La Belgique Horticole, volume 16, page 200.