Sometimes confused withA. clarinervium,Anthurium crystallinumgrows primarily as a terrestrial form. However, it also grows as an epiphyte (ep-a-FIT) (a plant that grows on another plant) on the branches of trees. According to Dr. Tom Croat's journalA Revision of the Genus Anthurium (Araceae) of Mexico and Central America Part II: Panama,Anthurium crystallinumis noted as having been originally collected in Colombia in the late 1800's. However, no type specimen exactly matching the original description has ever been seen or located in Colombia since that time. In light of the fact, the plant is commonly accepted as being primarily found in Colombia, that may be a confusing statement. What the Missouri Botanical Garden's Dr. Croat was indicating is no collections
have been seen that correspond well with the original illustration by Linden and André done in 1873. Those botanists made a painting of the type specimen (see the original, left) that showed a closed sinus divided all the way to the petiole. Specimens of Anthurium crystallinummatching that description have not been found to date.
Despite the fact an A. crystallinum with a closed sinus is apparently uncommon in cultivation today, it does sometimes exist. We recently had one of our own
specimens begin to produce leaves with the closed sinus almost identical to the original painting byLinden and André. When I sent the photo right to Dr. Croat he made the following comment,"It looks to me that the image I saw on your website is a good match for the type!" We have since learned of two other collectors that possess the same closed sinus specimen.
Some collectors may be tempted to believe they know the plant that was actually painted as the type specimen, Anthurium forgetii N.E. Br. which is also from Colombia. Anthurium forgetii,which can be seen in Windy Aubrey's photograph,has no lobes at the top of each leaf. You can read about Anthurium forgetiihere: Anthurium forgetii
That plant looks similar toAnthurium crystallinumbut has no sinus opening at all! According to the Missouri
Botanical Garden's aroid botanist Dr. Croat, it is a separate species and is quite different thanAnthurium crystallinum. Aroid expert Julius Boos explains the differences when he wrote regardingAnthurium forgetii(photo, left),"It has a completely closed or absent sinus. You say that A. crystallinum has a closed sinus divided all the way down to the petiole. This would mean the two posterior lobes touch each other. But there is a slit all the way down from the top of the posterior lobes down to the petiole. It would not be a sealed or absent sinus like as A. forgetii." Anthuriumspecies are known to be highly variable and not every leaf of every specimen will always appear the same. This link explains in non-technical language natural variation and morphogenesis within aroids and other species. Click here.
The species we now accept asAnthurium crystallinumwas widely cultivated in Europe during the time of botanist Engler and his writings show he accepted as a part ofA. crystallinummany specimens that have a relatively open sinus. The plant we now commonly accept, and grow, asAnthurium crystallinumis found in Colombia and portions of Panama. To add to the confusion regarding this commonly grown Anthurium the excellent textAroids, Plants of the Arum Familyindicates it is found from Panama through Peru. However, a check of the TROPICOS (Missouri Botanical Garden) database shows no collections have been made in Ecuador or Peru.
An aroid, allAnthuriumspecies reproduce via the production an inflorescence. The stalk that supports the entire inflorescence is the peduncle. When anAnthuriumis "in flower" the reference is to the tiny flowers containing both male and female sexual parts that grow on the spadix at the center of the inflorescence. Unlike plants in the genusPhilodendronwhich contain imperfect flowers having only a single sexAnthuriumpossess perfect flowers containing both sexes. To help prevent self pollination nature has designed the female flowers to be receptive before the male portion of the flower produce their pollen so in most cases an insect must bring pollen from another plant.
Anthurium crystallinumis a member of sectionCardiolonchiumand the leaf blades of accepted specimens are sub-coriaceous (just less than leathery). They possess an attractive yet dark green coloration with a velutinous (velvety) appearance on the adaxial (upper) portion of the leaf blade. The leaf veins are pale green along the major veins with the abaxial (lower) surface a much paler green than the top of the blade. New leaf blades as well as the undersides of the adult leaf and petiole are sometimes tinged red-violet. Blades normally measure 25 to 39 cm long (10 to 11 1/2 inches. The largest leaf of our three specimens currently measures (December, 2006) 31cm (12 1/4 inches. TheAnthuriumproduces a reddish tinged spathe with a yellow spadix. The spadix has a very faint yet pleasant aroma once the stamens emerge.
A. crystallinumis most closely related toAnthurium papillilaminumbut bears some resemblance toA. clarinervium,thus the common confusion between the two species. I have even seen a few photos ofAnthurium crystallinumnoted as beingAnthurium regalewhich is from Peru. Again, there is a resemblance, but Anthurium regalegrows substantially larger and is even more beautiful. Anthurium crystallinumrequires high humidity and grows well in a hanging basket provided the soil mixture is extremely fast draining. We use a mixture of good moisture control soil, peat, orchid potting media and Perlite™. The soil mixture should not be allowed to completely dry.
