Anthurium scherzerianum (flamingo flower)

This species is found in Costa Rica at elevations of 1,300 to 2,100 m. It occurs in montane rainforest on the Atlantic slope of the Cordillera Central and the Cordillera de Talamanca.

This perennial species shows a clump-forming habit, and may grow on trees (as an epiphyte) or on the ground (terrestrial).

Anthurium scherzerianum has spreading, oblong to elliptic, leathery leaves, up to 25 cm long and 8 cm wide. The leaf blades are held on a petiole (leaf stalk) up to 20 cm long. Both sides of the leaf blade are dotted with minute dark glands. The large, showy spathe (8 to 10 cm long) is scarlet to orange-red and broadly oval. The orange-red spadix is usually coiled upward and may be up to 8 cm long. Euglossine bees are possible pollinators. The fruits are orange to red.

Cultivars of this species include Anthurium scherzerianum 'Album' with a white spathe and yellow spadix, 'Rothschildianum' with a densely white-dotted spathe and 'Wardii' with a large ruby-red spathe and long red spadix.

Anthuriums became fashionable as house plants during the nineteenth century. They are prized for their showy appearance and the longevity of cut stalks in water, which may last up to eight weeks. Numerous hybrids and cultivars of Anthurium scherzerianum have been developed for both these characteristics.

The popularity of anthuriums as ornamentals led to a rapid rise in their value in the horticulture and cut-flower industries. Anthuriums were historically grown in the shade of cocoa and citrus in producing regions such as Trinidad and Tobago. Today, plants are grown intensively under cover and are often multiplied using micropropagation techniques. The inflorescences are graded for the cut flower industry according to the width of the spathe.

Some species of Anthurium are used traditionally in medicine or to perfume tobacco.

Anthurium scherzerianum is commonly found in cultivation throughout the world, and many different forms are recognised.

It is cultivated in the aroid zone of the Tropical Nursery, one of the behind-the-scenes areas of Kew. Here, plants are mounted on cork-oak bark (Quercus suber) with flat moss, which helps to keep the roots moist. Alternatively, they can be grown in a compost mix with a high organic content. The plants are kept at about 25 °C and 85% relative humidity. They are watered or heavily misted every day (twice a day during the summer) and benefit from a weekly feed. The plants are protected from high light intensity in the nursery during summer by the use of automatic shading.

Stunning examples of Anthurium scherzerianum can be seen as part of the Tropical Extravaganza festival in the Princess of Wales Conservatory. This species is also grown in the Tropical Nursery (one of the behind-the-scenes area of Kew).

Kew's Tropical Extravaganza festival 2010

World Checklist and Bibliography of the Araceae

Science & research at Kew - Morphometrics and Phylogeography of Anthurium and Monstera (Araceae) in NE Brazil

Neotropical Araceae

International Aroid Society

The University of the West Indies St Augustine Anthurium Website

Search Kew's databases for more information on this species