Anthurium pulcachense

A Peruvian endemic from premontane wet forest

Anthurium pulcachense comes from the middle Huallaga valley near Pulcache in San Martín, Peru. It grows terrestrially in premontane wet forest at roughly 630–950 m, rooting in the humid organic layer beneath forest cover. The locality is warm and wet but elevated enough to experience milder nights than the Amazonian lowlands.

Growing Anthurium indoors

• Substrate and repotting: Allow Anthurium pulcachense to establish a clear watering pattern in the supplied root ball, with the moist but aerated terrestrial root zone remaining firm and active; repot after the plant is stable and the next phase of root growth has begun. Later, use a pot only slightly larger with bark, coir or peat and pumice or perlite.
• Light: Give bright indirect or filtered light, with mild early sun only after gradual acclimation. Protect thin leaves from hot midday exposure.
• Watering: Water when the upper layer of the substrate has begun to dry. Wet the mix evenly, drain thoroughly and check moisture deeper in large pots before watering again.
• Humidity and airflow: Maintain moderate to high humidity with gentle airflow. Higher humidity is useful during leaf expansion when the air remains fresh.
• Leaf care and propagation: Keep the short terrestrial stem at the substrate surface and use a stable pot for the erect petioles. Wipe leaves gently and propagate from rooted offsets or node-bearing stem sections.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium pulcachense

• Moisture-related leaf decline: A light-feeling root ball, dry upper root zone and flexible leaf point to thirst; water until the mix is evenly moist and let excess escape. A pot that feels heavy in the hand, damp mix and soft yellow leaves point to wet-root stress; give the pot time to lighten and inspect the centre of the root ball.
• When roots turn soft or hollow: Firm roots with a complete core remain useful. Trim hollow, slippery or foul-smelling roots with a disinfected blade, then use a stable close-fitting pot with an airy mix and keep the stem at the surface.
• Scale, mealybugs and soft-leaf pests: Mealybugs look cottony, scale forms raised brown discs, and thrips scar soft growth silver. Isolate, remove visible insects, apply a product labelled for the pest wherever it can hide. Follow the label closely when another application is due and review treated hiding places once a week for the next month.
• Minerals, roots and brown tips: Brown tips can be caused by irregular moisture, low humidity or salts. Use current moisture to time a low-mineral flush and clear the leaf from heated glass.
• A bruise, scorch mark or active lesion: Dry tan marks that stop expanding can be caused by impact or sun. Move the plant away from others when a yellow-edged spot spreads; avoid splashing and record the border.

Anthurium pulcachense 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.

The meaning and history of Anthurium pulcachense

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Pulcachense means “from Pulcache”, referring to Pulcache in San Martín, Peru.

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 pulcachense in 2008 in Novon, volume 18, page 158.