Anthurium superbum

An epiphytic rosette of western South American lowland forest

Anthurium superbum is native to western South America, with the typical form in Ecuador and a recognised subspecies in Peru. It grows as an epiphytic bird’s-nest plant in moist lowland forest, where its upright leaves collect litter around thick roots on trees. The surrounding habitat is warm, shaded and humid.

Care for velvet Anthurium foliage and roots

• Substrate and repotting: Allow Anthurium superbum to establish a clear watering pattern in the supplied root ball, with the rosette crown and outer roots remaining firm and active; repot after the plant is stable and the next phase of root growth has begun. Later, use a stable pot only slightly wider with medium bark, coco chips, coir and pumice.
• Watering: Water when the upper layer of the substrate begins to dry. Soak the root ball, drain it and empty water trapped in the central rosette.
• Humidity and airflow: Maintain moderate to high humidity with airflow through the leaf bases. Keep the crown free of standing water.
• Temperature: Keep the upright rosette in stable warmth and protect it from cold draughts. Warm roots suit these tropical rosette plants.
• Upright rosette and propagation: Keep the upright bullate rosette free of debris and standing water, taking care around its thick coloured roots. Propagate by separating an independently rooted basal shoot.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium superbum

• Moisture clues behind a droop: A pot that has become easy to lift and dry mix below the surface indicate thirst; water the root ball, then remove any water held in the crown. A pot that stays weighty after watering, damp mix and yellowing from the centre or lower leaves indicate wet-root stress; let the mix drain further and inspect roots and leaf bases.
• Roots losing structure: A viable rosette root holds its shape under light pressure; a soft or hollow centre shows that the root has failed. Remove soft, hollow or foul-smelling roots with scissors disinfected before use, keep the crown above a close-fitting airy mix and drain the pot completely.
• Pests under leaves and inside sheaths: Take a close look at distorted young leaves for thrips; cottony pests and scale are easiest to miss inside the crown. Isolate the plant, lift visible pests from the tissue with a damp swab, apply a product labelled for the pest into accessible hiding places. Schedule the next treatment exactly as directed on the label and inspect new growth weekly until four clean checks have passed.
• Brown edges after moisture swings: Brown tips can point back to uneven moisture, dry air or fertiliser salts. Use the root ball to decide if another watering is due; clear mineral build-up and maintain mild air movement through the rosette.
• Dark leaf marks after sun or contact: A dry bleached patch can point back to direct sun, while bruising stays local. A yellow-bordered lesion emerging between leaf bases needs quick attention; keep leaf bases dry and monitor the outline closely.

Anthurium superbum 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 superbum

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. The epithet superbum is Latin for superb or splendid.

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

Michael T. Madison first described Anthurium superbum in 1978 in Selbyana, volume 5, page 94.