Anthurium cutucuense

Natural range and habitat of Anthurium cutucuense

Anthurium cutucuense is native to Ecuador, including the Cordillera del Cutucú in the south-east of the country. It grows as an epiphytic subshrub in wet tropical forest, rooting on trees and other raised forest surfaces.

How to care for Anthurium cutucuense

• Light and space: Give the crown bright indirect light and enough room for each divided leaf to open freely. Turn the pot gradually if growth leans strongly towards one side.
• Temperature, humidity and airflow: Keep temperatures around 16–24 °C and avoid prolonged temperatures below 15 °C. Aim for 60–80% humidity with gentle air circulation.
• Water: Water thoroughly when the surface of the mix begins to dry, then let the excess drain freely. Keep the mix evenly moist around the roots, avoiding prolonged dryness or saturation.
• Potting mix and support: Use an open bark-based mix with fibrous material and coarse mineral pieces. Add a textured support as the stem extends, and guide active aerial roots towards it or back into the pot.
• Feeding: Feed lightly during active growth and pause or reduce feeding when growth slows.
• Repotting: Repot when root space becomes tight, or when the pot no longer holds the plant and its support securely. Use only a modest increase in pot size and make sure the support remains firmly anchored.
• Propagation: A rooted basal shoot can be separated, or a healthy stem section with an active growing point can be rooted.

Common issues with Anthurium cutucuense

• A new leaf opens creased or one section remains folded: The soft blade may have pressed against an obstacle or dried unevenly during expansion. Clear surrounding obstacles, keep moisture steady during expansion and allow the soft tissue to unfold on its own.
• The stem leans away from its support: The extending stem may no longer be anchored firmly. Tie it loosely to a textured pole at several points, leaving the growing tip and petioles free.
• Aerial roots become dry and brittle: Exposed roots may be missing a moist surface. Guide fresh roots into the potting mix or against lightly moist moss. Use an airy support and allow excess water to drain freely.
• Fine scars or black specks appear in the grooves: Examine the newest folded tissue closely for thrips and their black frass. Once thrips are confirmed, isolate the plant and rinse hardened foliage. Apply a treatment labelled for thrips to the folded tissue, grooves and leaf undersides, then complete all repeat applications specified for that product.

Anthurium cutucuense 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.

How did Anthurium cutucuense get its name?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Cutucuense means “from Cutucú”, referring to Ecuador’s Cordillera del Cutucú.

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

Michael T. Madison first described Anthurium cutucuense in 1978 in Selbyana, volume 2, page 256.