PlantFiles: Anthurium
Anthurium pseudospectabile

Not a plant for those with a small space, probably not all that suitable as a houseplant either. This is a large growing epiphyte that has potential for a hugh spread. Mine started in the greenhouse in a hanging baskey, but developed such mass that it fell. Looking for a suitable place for it, I set it under a Pritchardia hillebrandii palm, and it has been happily growing there for 2 years now. It is still in the mesh container, but rooted firmly into the ground. Its a beautiful anthurium for those who can offer it space, warmth and adequate humidity.

Anthurium pseudospectabile Croat (pseudo-spec-TAB-a-lee) is found endemically (exclusively) in northwestern Panama near an area known as the Fortuna Dam. Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botanical Garden has collected specimens at elevations ranging from 590 to 1600 meters (1,935 to 5,250 feet). However, the species is more common at elevations between 1,250 to 1,500 meters (4,100 to 4,920 feet) in a region that is composed of pre-mountainous rain forest.

The original type specimen of the species Anthurium pseudospectabile was found in April, 1980 in the province of Chiriquí along a road between Gualaca and Forluna Dam approximately 13.36 kilometers (8.3 miles) northwest of Los Planes de Homito at an elevation of 1,260 meters (4,135 feet) in what Dr. Croat described as "virgin" rain forest. Although inland, the area is closer to the Pacific coastline than the Atlantic side of Panama and is between the villages of Tierras Negras and Boca del Monte. He describes the species as an unusually pendent epiphyte. The species is rarely, if ever, found in soil but may grow on rock faces.

Anthurium pseudospectabile is a member of Anthurium section Pachyneurium and the leaves can measure 2 meters (6.5 feet) or more in length by up to 50cm (19.7 inches) wide.

Dr. Croat indicates in his description that Anthurium pseudospectabile is closely related to Anthurium spectabile (spec-TAB-a-lee) which is found from central Costa Rica to Nicaragua. But Anthurium spectabile differs significantly by having broader leaf blades which lack the undulated leaf margins. The petioles of Anthurium pseudospectabile which support the leaves (commonly called stems) are subterete (less than round) and are somewhat flattened in appearance but in rare cases may be bluntly quadrangular (four sided) according to a personal note from Dr. Croat. A principal difference between Anthurium pseudospectabile and Anthurium spectabile is the petioles of the later are markedly quadrangular (square) while Anthurium pseudospectabile are almost always terete (round) but in rare cases may have blunt edges. However, if you own a specimen you should know that most plants sold in Florida with the name Anthurium pseudospectabile are hybrids and are not pure species. The majority came from a grower in South Florida and have been sold for years as the true species. You can recognize a true species since the petioles will not be erect and stand upwards. They will always hang pendently, or downwards.

This species has not been found growing naturally in soil and is strictly an epiphyte growing up in trees with the exception it has been found several times growing on rock cliff faces.

We have a large specimen in a 12 inch (30cm) wooden orchid box packed with sphagnum moss, however that specimen was recenly (April, 2008) determind by one of America's top aroid authorities to be a hybrid with only one parent being Antuurium pseudospectabile. The moss is always damp. At present the specimen has 5 spathe and spadices and is producing new hybrid seed. The ripe berries will be orange. A new specimen which is known to be the true species has been located. That specimen was collected in Panama by a botanical expert just outside the park area.