ANTHURIUM ANDREANUM

It is a monocotyledonous perennial, preferring warm, shady and humid climates, such as tropical rainforests. Its most characteristic feature as an ornamental is its brightly colored spathe leaf, and the protruding inflorescence called the spadix.^[8]

It is a short erected plant with whole, cardioid or heart-shaped leaves, generally reflexed, cordate base, apex acuminate or cuspid, which are borne by a cylindrical petiole 30–40 cm long.

The spathe is cartilage-waxy, brightly coloured (red, pink) and 8–15 cm long, excluding the inflorescence (the spadix), which is 7–9 cm long, similar to a candle-holder, white or yellow in colour, is erected, and bears many small hermaphroditic flowers. These include a perianth with four segments and stamens with a compressed mesh. Flowering extends throughout the year.

The fruit is a fleshy berry.

Scientific name: Anthurium andraeanum

Pronunciation: an-THUR-ee-um an-dree-AY-num

Common name(s): tailflower, flamingo flower

Family: Araceae

Plant type: perennial; herbaceous

USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11