Anthurium salgarense

Colombian Andean Range and Habitat

Anthurium salgarense occurs in Antioquia and neighbouring Andean areas of Colombia at roughly 760–1,860 m. It grows terrestrially on steep, rocky banks across habitats ranging from tropical dry forest to premontane and lower montane wet forest.

How to grow Anthurium salgarense indoors

• Plan for a wide, high crown: Use a heavy pot and leave clear space around the petioles before the plant becomes large.
• Handle the petioles near their bases: They can snap if they are bent sharply. Support the leaf near its base when moving or repotting the plant, and avoid pulling on the blade.
• Provide abundant filtered light: A bright position supports stronger petioles and progressively larger leaves. Acclimatised plants may take gentle early sun, but protect them from hot midday exposure.
• Water thoroughly with a drying interval: Wet the complete root ball, then wait until the upper section has dried before watering again. Do not leave the pot standing in runoff.
• Use a supportive, freely draining mix: Medium bark, coco fibre or coir and pumice provide structure around the large roots. Repot when roots fill the container or the mix no longer drains evenly.

Common problems with Anthurium salgarense

• A petiole bends or snaps: Remove a fully broken stalk cleanly near the stem and change the placement so later leaves are not struck or forced around obstacles.
• A pale tan patch forms on the window-facing surface: Direct sun or heat through glass has damaged the leaf. Filter the strongest light; the existing patch will not turn green again.
• New leaves remain much smaller than the previous growth: Review light, active roots and available pot space. Move a dim plant gradually into brighter indirect light. If roots have filled the pot, move up one pot size; if the mix is exhausted or compacted, replace it with fresh airy substrate before increasing fertiliser.
• Lower leaves yellow while the root ball stays wet: Hold off on watering and confirm that the pot drains freely. The yellow leaf guide helps compare wet-root stress with normal ageing and other causes.

Anthurium salgarense 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.

When was Anthurium salgarense first published, and what does it mean?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Salgarense means “from Salgar”, referring to Salgar in Colombia.

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 salgarense in 2003 in Aroideana, volume 26, page 5.