Anthurium lancea

Western Andean Range and Botanical History

Native from western Colombia to western Ecuador, Anthurium lancea is a climbing epiphyte of wet tropical habitat. Luis Sodiro published the species in 1901.

Care for Anthurium lancea

Give the extending stem a slim stake, board or other narrow support and secure it loosely between nodes. Leave the petioles free to take their natural angles. Bright filtered light helps keep growth compact and the dark upper leaf surface well defined.

• Watering: Water thoroughly after the upper layer has begun to dry. Make sure the middle of the pot is wetted, then allow all excess water to drain.
• Substrate: Use an airy mix that remains springy after repeated watering. Replace it if the centre compacts or begins drying much more slowly than the edges.
• Repotting: Keep the base at its existing level and set the support firmly before filling around the roots. Choose a container that balances the climbing stem without surrounding a small root system with excess wet mix.
• Propagation: A stem cutting must include a viable node. Root it warm and humid, but keep the cut surface out of persistently wet material.

Common problems with Anthurium lancea

• Gaps between new leaves become much longer: Check whether light has become weak or strongly one-sided. Move the plant gradually closer to a brighter filtered source and reassess new stem growth; the bright indirect light guide explains how to judge the position.
• The climbing stem pulls away from its support: Bring the support closer and add a loose tie between nodes before the stem hardens in a new position. Use a heavier outer pot if the root ball is tipping, and leave the petioles free to angle naturally.
• Several lower leaves yellow: Feel the centre of the root ball and inspect roots if it stays wet for long periods. Remove rotten tissue and replace compacted mix; if roots are firm, also check for a cold draught.
• Dull stippling or silver scars spread on new leaves: Fine pale stippling with webbing indicates spider mites, while silvery scars with black specks indicate thrips. Check both leaf surfaces and the newest leaf for these signs, then keep the plant separate from neighbouring foliage. If you confirm spider mites or thrips, rinse hardened leaves, then apply an indoor-plant treatment labelled for the confirmed pest to both leaf surfaces and the newest folded growth. Repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course.

Anthurium lancea 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.

What does the name Anthurium lancea mean?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. The epithet lancea is Latin for spear, referring to the lance-shaped leaves.

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

Luis Sodiro first described Anthurium lancea in 1901 in Anales de la Universidad Central del Ecuador, volume 15, page 13.