Anthurium andraeanum Linden ex André

Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) is a herb up to 1.2 meters tall from the Araceae family native to Ecuador and Colombia, now the national flower of Mauritius and ranked ninth in global flower trade. Its long-lasting flower shape makes it a highly valuable ornamental and cut flower, while also effectively filtering formaldehyde from indoor air. Caution is needed as its calcium oxalate crystals can irritate the skin.

Anthurium can be found growing well in moist forest at elevations of 400-1,200 m asl. Its growth favors moist, well-drained soil, and a position in partial shade. Too little light will cause the plant to flower less and grow slowly. Requires a minimum temperature of 14°C, and a maximum of 30°C. Too low a temperature reduces flower production, and the spathe enlarges. Conversely, at too high a temperature, the plant cannot grow well. The required light intensity is 20-30% with low to moderate air humidity requirements. Air humidity of no more than 60% is preferred.

• Roots fibrous.
• Stem short, upright, sometimes elongated, climbing, with adventitious aerial roots.
• Leaves simple (unifoliate), alternate, dark green, large, heart-shaped and glossy with smooth margins, up to 20 cm long, petiolate. Leaf surface texture somewhat rough. Veins pinnate and may have veins lighter in color than the rest of the leaf surface.
• Inflorescence axillary, consisting of a spadix and spathe. Spadix upright like a tail, cylindrical, sometimes curved, creamy yellow, while the spathe varies in color (bright red, bright orange to white), broad, flat, wrinkled, heart-shaped, waxy.
• Fruit a berry, small, round, fleshy, yellow, produced along the spadix.

• Propagation is done through seed, vegetative plant parts (offshoot separation or stem cuttings), and in vitro culture.
• Offshoot seedlings come from healthy, thriving parent plants. Offshoots are separated from the parent once they have rooted and have 3-4 leaves.
• Stem cutting propagation is done by cutting a section of the parent stem 3-4 cm long along with its roots (aerial roots). The parent plant should preferably be over 2 years old with a minimum height of 45 cm. Before planting, the wounded section is coated with fungicide/bactericide. Shoots grow within 1-2 months. The sprouted seedlings can be planted in pots or directly in the ground.

Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, phlobatannins, steroids, and tannins.

Helps treat kidney disease, boils, digestive disorders, boosts blood, treats aches and pains, has antimicrobial activity.

Anturium flamingo, Anturium merah, Bunga flamingo, Bunga buntut.