Caribbean Heart Shaped Anthurium

Description:

In the Spring of 2006 Florida aroid collector Russ Hammer sent a very nice anthurium for which he had been trying to find an ID. His only clue was it came from the Virgin Islands. After a lengthy list of emails to the Caribbean and a confusing attempt at species research I believe I've tracked the species down. According to sources in the Virgin Islands the plant is Anthurium cordatum and is common to the Lesser Antilles. It is also found in the Leeward and Caribbean Windward Islands. Many of these islands have wet forests where the governments of those islands say this plant is known to exist. Those include the Virgin Islands, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Some information also indicates the plant is found in portions of South America including Venezuela. I've been unable to find a lot of scientific information regarding the species. Sources in the Caribbean say it is a natural hybridizer and can be found in the islands with a variety of known growth forms.

Habitat:

The leaf blades are coriaceous (quite thick and leathery) with the feel of rubber. The plant is a self header that apparently does not readily climb. However, information from the Virgin Islands indicates it is found both as an epiphyte (ep-a-FIT) growing on trees as well as a terrestrial plant especially on the island of St. John. Commonly known as the "heartleaf" Anthurium in those islands the plant is said to be common in moist forest areas. A. cordatum produces interesting foliage that islanders say is sometimes home to tree snails and nests of wasps known as "Jack Spaniards". An interesting note also came from the islands, the plant is often known as a "trash basket" plant. That is not an uncommon description for an Anthurium. This plant has a habit of having roots that aim upwards in to capture falling plant material and biological debris. It does that in to have that matter decay around the base and provide a source of both nutrients and moisture retention.