Anthurium sp. 'Black Dragon' (Anthurium Black Dragon)

Anthurium is a large and diverse genus of evergreen plants in the Araceae family, native to tropical regions of the Americas, with its greatest diversity in Central and South America. Species range from small terrestrial plants to climbing and epiphytic aroids, and their foliage may be heart-shaped, arrow-shaped, deeply divided, velvety, leathery, or dramatically veined. The characteristic inflorescence consists of a spadix bearing numerous tiny flowers accompanied by a spathe. In popular flowering hybrids, derived largely from Anthurium andraeanum and related breeding lines, the spathe may be red, pink, white, orange, purple, green, or bicolored and can remain attractive for weeks. Other Anthuriums, including many forms related to A. crystallinum, A. magnificum, and A. veitchii, are cultivated primarily for spectacular foliage.

Anthurium generally grows best in warm, humid conditions with bright filtered light and an airy, organic-rich, well-drained substrate. Epiphytic species particularly benefit from excellent root aeration, while terrestrial species may prefer somewhat more moisture-retentive mixes. Water regularly during active growth but avoid prolonged waterlogging. Plants are widely grown in containers and interiors, while flowering cultivars are also important commercial cut flowers. Propagation is by division, stem sections, seed, or tissue culture. Most tropical Anthuriums are frost sensitive and are best suited outdoors to USDA Zones 10-11, although requirements vary among species. All parts contain irritating calcium oxalate crystals and should not be eaten.

See Photo Gallery of Exotic Anthuriums.

Anthurium 'Black Dragon' is a horticultural cultivar prized for its exceptionally dark, dramatic foliage. It forms a dense rosette of large, upright to arching, ovate-lanceolate leaves that mature to very dark green with reddish-black to nearly black tones. Leaf color can vary with growing conditions, with the deepest coloration developing under bright filtered light. The dark foliage is complemented by equally unusual inflorescences, consisting of a dark brown to maroon-brown spathe and an upright brown spadix.

The exact parentage and species affiliation of 'Black Dragon' are not securely documented. Although it is sometimes sold under various species names or described as a hybrid, these attributions are inconsistent in horticultural sources. It is therefore best treated simply as Anthurium 'Black Dragon', a cultivar of horticultural origin.