BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Flowers
The elegant flowers of this tropical aroid are grown and sold all over
the world. The actual flowers are borne on the "spadix," an upright organ in
the center of the "spaulx," which is the ornamental petal-like organ surrounding
the spadix. Although anthuriums are sensitive to cold temperatures, they have a
long vase life if properly treated.
End of their vase life is usually
the result of an inability to extract water from the vase solution and is associated
with a loss of gloss and then a blueing of the spathe. Much of the water lost
by the flower evaporates from the spadix. An application of wax to prevent this water loss, or a pulsing of silver nitrate to improve the flower's water
relationships, can greatly extend their vase life.
Leaves
The leaves are large, long-petioled, heart-shaped, and come in a variety of colors. They have a prominent midrib and lateral
ribs.