Anthurium papillilaminum × 'Dark Phoenix'

Origin and background of Anthurium papillilaminum × 'Dark Phoenix'

This horticultural hybrid combines Anthurium papillilaminum with the collector line ‘Dark Phoenix’. The species parent grows terrestrially in deeply shaded, humid Panamanian lowland forest below about 100 m.

Care for velvet Anthurium foliage and roots

• Light: Place in bright filtered light. Acclimated plants can take gentle morning or evening sun; hot midday light can mark the velvet surface.
• Watering: Water when the upper layer of the substrate begins to dry. Soak the root ball evenly, drain it fully and keep the moisture rhythm steady while a leaf is expanding.
• Humidity and airflow: Aim for high humidity with gentle air movement. Dry water from the leaf surface promptly.
• Substrate and repotting: Wait for fresh root tips or a firm new leaf before disturbing Anthurium papillilaminum × ‘Dark Phoenix’ after delivery. Repot into a close-fitting, highly aerated mix and preserve the existing stem level.
• Leaf care and propagation: Protect the dark new leaf from rubbing and abrupt humidity changes until it firms. Use a dry brush on mature foliage and propagate from rooted offsets or node-bearing stem sections.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium papillilaminum × 'Dark Phoenix'

• Moisture clues behind a droop: When the leaves soften and the pot feels light, the mix has dried too far; rehydrate the mix evenly and keep drainage open. A root ball that stays heavy and damp and soft yellowing show that water is staying around the roots too long; wait for the container to lighten and examine the roots before watering again. The lowest mature blade may fade naturally between growth cycles.
• Roots losing structure: A viable root feels solid when gently pressed; firm new root tips are a useful recovery sign. Trim only roots that have turned soft, empty or slick; rebuild the root zone with a fine, airy mix and a pot matched to the remaining roots.
• Pests under leaves and inside sheaths: Study twisted new growth with black specks for thrips; mites produce much finer pale speckling over the leaf surface. Use a hand lens along lower veins and inside dry leaf sheaths; these sheltered sites can escape the first treatment. Separate the plant, treat folded new leaves with a correctly labelled product and keep foliage out of direct sun during application. Continue treatment at the interval stated on the product and recheck leaf bases once a week for the next month.
• Brown edges after moisture swings: Crisp tips after a light pot may appear after an uneven watering cycle. Brown margins in a damp pot shift attention to mineral build-up, heat or root injury; flush salts when watering is due, move the plant from hot glass and inspect roots if browning continues.
• Dark leaf marks after sun or contact: A dry mark that holds its shape often comes from contact, residue or excess light; mark the edge and check if it expands. Treat a water-soaked yellow-edged lesion as active when it continues to grow; keep the leaf dry, mark the edge and check for continued change.

Anthurium papillilaminum × ‘Dark Phoenix’ 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.

Who first published Anthurium papillilaminum, and what does the name mean?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Papillilaminum combines Latin papilla, “small protuberance”, and lamina, “blade”, referring to the finely bumpy leaf surface.

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

Thomas Bernard Croat first described Anthurium papillilaminum in 1986 in Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden, volume 14, page 152.