Anthurium
Genus of flowering plants, largest in the arum family.
Anthurium is a genus of roughly 1,000 flowering plant species, making it the largest group within the arum family, Araceae. Commonly called tailflower, flamingo flower, pigtail plant, or laceleaf, these plants are native to the Americas, ranging from northern Mexico down to northern Argentina and across parts of the Caribbean.
Most Anthuriums are herbs that grow as epiphytes on other plants, though some grow in soil. Their leaves are usually clustered and come in various shapes. The flowers, which contain both male and female parts, are arranged in tight spirals along a central spike called the spadix. This spadix is often long and spike-like but can also be round or club-shaped. Below it sits the spathe, a bract that varies in shape—often lance-shaped in many species—and may lie flat, curve, or wrap around the spadix like a hood. After flowering, the spadix produces juicy berries, typically containing two seeds each, in a range of colors.
Breeders focus heavily on the spadix and spathe, developing cultivars with bright colors and unusual shapes. Only two commonly cultivated species, *Anthurium scherzerianum* and *A. andraeanum*, naturally produce bright red spathes, though breeding has yielded spathes in many other colors and patterns. All Anthurium plants are toxic due to calcium oxalate crystals, and their sap can irritate skin and eyes.
Like other aroids, many Anthurium species—such as *A. crystallinum* and *A. clarinervium*, known for its large, velvety, dark green leaves with silvery white veins—can be grown as houseplants or outdoors in mild, shady spots. Most hybrids come from *A. andraeanum* or *A. scherzerianum* because of their colorful spathes. They prefer moist soil rich in organic matter. In mild climates, they do well in pots. Indoors, they thrive at 16–22°C (61–72°F) and need less light than many houseplants. Wiping leaves with water removes dust and insects. Potted plants with good root systems benefit from a weak fertilizer every other week. Climbing or vining types should be given a totem to climb.
Anthuriums can be propagated by seed or cuttings, but commercial growers mostly use tissue culture.
The genus was first defined by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott in 1829. By 1860, 183 species were known, and Schott grouped them into 28 sections in his book *Prodromus Systematis Aroidearum*. A 1905 revision described 18 sections, and in 1983 the genus was divided into these sections: Belolonchium, Calomystrium, Cardiolonchium, Chamaerepium, Cordatopunctatum, Dactylophyllium, Decurrentia, Digitinervium, Gymnopodium, Leptanthurium, Pachyneurium, Polyphyllium, Polyneurium, Porphyrochitonium, Schizoplacium, Semaeophyllium, Tetraspermium, Urospadix, and Xialophyllium.
All parts of every Anthurium species—roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds—are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The insoluble calcium oxalate crystals can cause oral irritation, pain, swelling, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Keeping these plants away from pets and horses is the best way to prevent emergencies.
For a full list of species, see the List of Anthurium species. A similar-looking plant in the same family is *Spathiphyllum*.
- field
- Botany
- known_for
- Largest genus of the arum family; popular as houseplants and ornamental cultivars
- native_range
- Northern Mexico to northern Argentina and parts of the Caribbean
- number_of_species
- About 1,000
Lore & Background
Anthurium is a genus of herbs often growing as epiphytes on other plants; some are terrestrial. The leaves are often clustered and variable in shape. The inflorescence bears small perfect flowers (containing male and female structures) arranged in close spirals on a spadix, which may be elongated, globe-shaped, or club-shaped. Beneath the spadix is a spathe, a type of bract that is variable in shape—often lance-shaped—and may extend flat, curve, or cover the spadix like a hood. Fruits develop as juicy berries, usually containing two seeds. The spadix and spathe are a main focus of breeders, who develop cultivars in bright colors and unique shapes. Anthurium scherzerianum and A. andraeanum, two of the most common taxa in cultivation, are the only species that naturally grow bright red spathes, though they have been bred to produce spathes in many other colors and patterns. All plants in the genus are toxic due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause oral irritation, pain, swelling, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing in cats, dogs, and horses.
Reader's Guide
Anthurium holds significance as the largest genus in the arum family, with about 1,000 species native to the Americas. Its distinctive inflorescence—a spadix and spathe—has made it a focus of ornamental breeding, particularly the species A. scherzerianum and A. andraeanum, which are the only ones with naturally bright red spathes. These have been hybridized to produce a wide range of colors and patterns, making anthuriums popular as houseplants and in mild-climate gardens. Many species, such as A. crystallinum and A. clarinervium, are grown for their large, velvety leaves with striking venation. The genus is also notable for its toxicity: all parts contain calcium oxalate crystals that are harmful to pets and horses. Propagation is typically done via seed, cuttings, or tissue culture in commercial trade.
Did You Know?
- Anthurium is the largest genus of the arum family, Araceae, with about 1,000 species.
- The genus is native to the Americas, from northern Mexico to northern Argentina and parts of the Caribbean.
- Only two species, Anthurium scherzerianum and A. andraeanum, naturally produce bright red spathes.
- All parts of Anthurium plants are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Anthurium?
Anthurium is a genus of flowering plants that makes up the largest group within the arum family (Araceae), encompassing roughly 1,000 distinct species. It is one of the most recognizable ornamental plant genera in botany.
Where does Anthurium originate from?
The genus is native to the Americas, with its natural range stretching from northern Mexico down through Central and South America to northern Argentina, plus parts of the Caribbean.
What are the common names people use for Anthurium?
Beyond its scientific name, you'll hear it called tailflower, flamingo flower, pigtail plant, or laceleaf depending on the species and region.
Why is Anthurium so popular as a houseplant?
Its striking, long-lasting bracts and diverse leaf shapes make it a favorite for indoor cultivation and floral arrangements, which is why so many ornamental cultivars have been developed from the genus.
How does Anthurium fit into the broader arum family?
As the largest genus in Araceae, Anthurium represents the most species-rich branch of the arum family, giving it a central place in the taxonomy of aroids.
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