Anthurium gladiifolium Schott

• Genus: Anthurium
• Botanical Background: Named by Schott in 1863 in the Journal of Botany; part of a genus first circumscribed by Schott in 1829.

• Geographical Range: Endemic to the wet tropical rainforests of northeastern and southeastern Brazil.
• Environment: Grows as a subshrub or epiphyte in humid, shaded forest canopies, favoring well‑drained, humus‑rich substrates and consistently high humidity.

Leaves

• Subrosulate, linear to oblong‑elliptic blades up to 90 cm long and 16 cm broad
• Coriaceous texture, dull dark green above and paler beneath;
• Apex acute‑acuminate, base rounded

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Peduncle up to 60 cm long; spathe oblong‑lanceolate (to 17 cm × 2.5 cm), green or purplish‑green
• Spadix narrowly conic, up to 28 cm long
• Tepals pale‑ to purplish‑brown

Growth Habit

• Robust epiphyte with a short, thick stem (internodes to 4 cm)
• Persistent fibrous cataphylls, and pendent leaf tips

Light Requirements

• Bright, indirect light
• Avoid direct sun to prevent leaf scorch

Watering & Humidity

• Keep the medium evenly moist but not waterlogged
• Maintain high humidity (60–90 %)

Soil & Potting Mix

• A loose, well‑draining mix rich in organic matter (orchid bark with peat or coco coir) to mimic epiphytic conditions

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Ideal range 16–25 °C; apply a balanced
• Diluted liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks during the growing season

Division & Cuttings

• Divide mature clumps at the rhizome or use stem cuttings with at least one node, keep high humidity until new growth appears

Seeds

• Berries ripen to scarlet carmine
• Germinate slowly in warm (24–28 °C), moist, well‑lit conditions but are rarely used commercially

Typical Issues

• Mealybugs, aphids, thrips, scale, spider mites
• Fungal issues like root rot from overwatering

Treatment Recommendations

• Treat insects with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, ensuring thorough coverage
• Improve drainage and apply a fungicide for root rot

• Inflorescences hang pendulously, attracting canopy pollinators
• Fruit are dull scarlet carmine berries containing flattened seeds

• Valued for dramatic, sword‑like foliage and large pendulous blooms

• Considered rare and sought after by collectors

Wild Population Status

• Predicted to be not threatened according to recent extinction‑risk models

Market Availability

• Uncommon in general trade
• Occasionally offered by specialty nurseries and aroid enthusiasts