Anthurium peltigerum

A western Andean epiphyte

Anthurium peltigerum ranges from south-western Colombia into Ecuador, including the Alto Tambo area of Esmeraldas. It grows epiphytically in wet tropical Andean forest; it at about 950–2,100 m. The habitat combines high humidity and regular rain with the airflow and quick drainage of roots attached to trees.

Care for epiphytic Anthurium roots and foliage

• Watering: Water when the surface has dried but the centre of the pot is still slightly moist. Soak fully and allow free drainage around the epiphytic roots.
• Humidity and airflow: Maintain moderate to high humidity with light air circulation. Dry new leaves promptly and keep fresh air moving around them.
• Temperature: Keep Anthurium peltigerum warm and away from cold night-time glass. Protect aerial roots and the pot from cold surfaces.
• Substrate and repotting: Leave Anthurium peltigerum in its nursery root ball while it settles and watch for fresh root growth. Repot into a close-fitting ventilated pot with bark, coco chips and pumice, adding a little coir for moisture retention.
• Peltate leaf and epiphytic-root care: Keep the leaf attachment and lower surface dry after rinsing, and let aerial roots enter the open mix as the broad peltate blades gain weight. Propagate from rooted offsets or node-bearing stem sections.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium peltigerum

• Yellow foliage with reduced firmness: Reduced pot weight, dry open mix and shrivelled aerial roots indicate thirst; water until the mix is evenly moist and let excess escape. A pot that stays weighty after watering, damp compacted mix and yellow limp leaves indicate poor root aeration; set watering aside while you inspect the roots.
• A compromised root ball: Root firmness matters more than the changing colour of the outer layer. Remove hollow or slippery roots with scissors disinfected before use, keep the stem above a coarse close-fitting mix and guide active aerial roots into the pot or support.
• Hidden pests on stems and foliage: Scan petiole bases for scale or mealybugs and distorted new growth for thrips. Isolate, remove visible pests, work the labelled treatment into every hiding place, schedule the next treatment exactly as directed on the label and watch the central growth point after treatment.
• No movement from the centre: When growth stalls, compare light with the temperature and activity of exposed roots. Use filtered light, 20–28 °C and warmer surfaces around aerial roots.
• Brown margins with a moist root ball: Brown tips can point back to rapid drying or mineral-rich water. Restore a steadier watering interval while keeping both the pot and exposed roots aerated.

Anthurium peltigerum 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.

Anthurium peltigerum: name and meaning

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Peltigerum combines Greek peltē, “shield”, and Latin -ger, “bearing”: “shield-bearing”.

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 peltigerum in 1905 in Anales de la Universidad Central del Ecuador, volume 19, page 316.