Aracea - Botanical Family

Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum), native to Sumatra, is a large plant that can reach a height of between 5-10 feet. It features an unusual color palette single flower of deep green on the outside, and dark burgundy red on the inside when in bloom. Its flowers have a vinous color, and the deeply furrowed texture adds to its uniqueness. After the flower dies back, a single leaf, which reaches the size of a small tree, grows from the underground corm.

This flowering plant is best grown in USDA Zones 9-11, although it can be grown in other zones with the right care. The best location for this plant is in the shade or in semi-shade, away from direct sunlight. Titan Arum plants should have regular access to water, although they don't tolerate a lot and too much water can lead to root rot. Moderate watering is the best way to ensure healthy growth and development.

When grown in a pot in colder climates, it is important to ensure the soil is well-draining. Winter dormancy is usually not necessary for these plants, but if temperatures do drop, the plant should be protected from any frost. It is also important to note that these plants need to be kept away from direct sunlight during summer, otherwise it may lead to burn.

Titan Arum makes for an excellent addition for your garden due to its exotic and unique looks. With the right care and maintenance, this plant can thrive and can provide a great statement piece.

Anchomanes difformis (formerly known as Amorphophallus difformis) is one of the world's most unusual aroids, distantly related to Amorphophallus. Native to the tropical forests of West Africa, including Benin, this remarkable species grows from a thick, slowly growing horizontal tuber that creeps just beneath the soil surface, often branching with age. In mature specimens, the tuber may reach up to 30 inches long and 10 inches across.

Each growing season, the tuber produces a single spectacular compound leaf supported by a stout, snake-patterned stalk covered with dark spots and distinctive rose-like prickles. Although it resembles a small tree, the entire structure is actually one highly divided leaf. The foliage typically reaches about **30 inches tall**, has an elongated bi-lobed, bat-like shape, and often develops natural fenestrations (window-like holes), making it one of the most striking ornamental aroids in cultivation.

Mature plants may occasionally begin the season by producing a tall flower spike before the leaf emerges, although flowering does not occur every year. Like other members of the aroid family, the bloom consists of a spathe surrounding a central spadix and may produce a short-lived unpleasant odor that attracts its natural pollinators - flies and beetles. Flowers may self-pollinate, eventually producing clusters of white berries that ripen to an attractive violet-purple. Seeds typically require several months to germinate, usually sprouting the following spring.

The plant enters complete winter dormancy, during which the tuber should be kept cool (but never cold) and only occasionally watered to prevent excessive drying. With the return of warm weather, it resumes active growth and appreciates abundant moisture, rich well-drained soil, high humidity, and bright filtered light with protection from strong direct sun, reflecting its jungle origins. During the growing season, generous watering encourages vigorous growth.

In frost-free climates such as much of Florida, established plants can simply be planted in the ground, where they require little attention beyond regular watering during active growth, although they perform equally well in containers. Indigenous communities throughout West Africa have traditionally used the plant for a variety of medicinal purposes. Like many aroids, however, it contains calcium oxalate crystals and should be grown as an ornamental rather than consumed.

The Benin form of this species entered cultivation through an ethnobotanist working in the jungles of Benin, along the west coast of Africa. Indigenous communities there have traditionally used the plant for a variety of medicinal purposes.

There are hundreds of species of this genus, all members of the Araceae family. The majority are fairly nondescript and a few are grown for their handsome foliage. There are only two species which are generally grown for their flowers, Anthurium andraeanum and Anthurium scherzerianum. Both types are basically epiphytic and grown best in a mix of bark, perlite and fern fiber such as that used in orchids or bromeliads. They will grow in soil but rarely perform well in that medium. Anthurium andraeanum is the florist anthurium, a plant with red, white or pink spatches which have an artificial, plastic-like look. Give a moderately high light intensity but avoid direct sunlight during the spring and summer months when the sun is most intense. A high humidity is essential as is warm temperature, 70-75 days, 65 minimum at night. The potting mixture should be kept moist, but not soggy during the spring- summer period and allowed to dry slightly between waterings from late fall through winter. A feeding of weak manure water and a fish emulsion may be given every two weeks from late winter to mid summer.

Both species have a tendency to grow up out of the pot. The exposed aerial roots should be wrapped in moist sphagnum.

When the plant is eight inches or higher out of the pot it may be cut off at the base and repotted in fresh potting mixture. Plants will occasionally split and form pups. These can be divided when large enough. Plants are also propagated by stem cuttings and seed, both of which are extremely difficult without greenhouse facilities.

Real Hawaiian lava rock is hand selected to provide a happy home for Anthurium. With reasonable care your volcano bonsai should last for years. Place in a bright window or on a countertop without direct sun and just keep a small amount of water in the saucer/tray provided. Requires consistently moist soil.

See Photo Gallery of Exotic Anthuriums.

Epiphyte, stems less than 10cm long, 1.5cm diam.; roots moderately slender; leaf are 1.7cm wide; cataphylls coriaceous, 3-6cm long, acuminate at apex, drying brown, persisting as fibers. Leaves erect to spreading; petioles 11-17 cm long, to 5mm diam., subterete to sharply sulcate; blades narrowly elliptic-lanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate, 19-55cm long, 8-9 cm wide, broadest at middle, acuminate at apex, narrowly rounded at base; upper surface matte, lower surface paler and matte with reddish-brown glandular punctations; midrib convexly raised below.

Erect inflorescence of pale yellow-green spathe with red tinged margins on some clones. Spadix color is white. Berries are red with pointed apex.

This species is one of the most popular.The species is known from Guatemala to Colombia in wetter parts of tropical moist, premontane wet, and tropical wet forest at elevations from sea level to 660 m. In Panama, the species ranges to 1,000 m elevation.

Anthurium clarinervium is probably endemic to Mexico, known only from areas with limestone outcrops between the Río Grijalva and Río de la Venta, north of Ocozocoautia de Espinosa, Chiapas, at 800 to 1,200 m elevation. A beautiful species of Anthurium grown for it's amazing foliage. Stiff, heart shaped leaves are a deep velvety green with dramatic white veins. Likes low to medium light levels and prefers higher humidity.

Anthurium crenatum (Scalloped Laceleaf) is a small plant, most often growing 2 to 5 feet tall. It has beautiful scalloped leaves that can reach up to 12 inches in length. The foliage is leathery, pliable, and variations of green. It is popular as a groundcover as well as a low-growing plant, as it generally remains under 2 feet tall.

This epiphyte will thrive in bright shade to semi-shade environments. A moderate amount of water is recommended, as this species does not tolerate drought conditions. When growing this species in colder regions, be sure to keep the plant in a pot and bring indoors for the winter if temperatures dip too low.

Anthurium crenatum is an excellent ornamental plant. Its beautiful foliage and ease of care make it popular in many tropical gardens and as a houseplant. Due to its ornamental foliage, it is also often used as a cut flower. It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11. With proper care, this Anthurium species is a wonderful addition to any collection.

This anthurium has dramatic white or light green veins contrasting with dark green foliage. Flower spathes are light green with a reddish tinge. Likes partial shade or light shade. In winter, temperatures of not less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit are preferred. Likes a warm and humid atmosphere, so misting is beneficial. Reduce watering in the winter.

An attractive species with slender leaves and a graceful semi-pendant spike of vivid red berries. Slender, deep green leather leaves form a loose upright rosette about 18in tall. An interesting species that in nature has a close relationship with ants. According to Benzing, the seeds resemble the pupae of ants, and are collected by arboreal ant species and placed in the nest where they germinate. Self pollinating, and fruits regularly. Beautiful strings of red seeds hang from the plant most of the year. Grows in shade.