Anthurium hastifolium Sodiro

• Genus: Anthurium
• Botanical Background: Described by Luis Sodiro in 1901 in Anales de la Universidad Central del Ecuador; refers to its spear‑shaped (hastate) leaves.

• Geographical Range: Endemic to the Andean slopes of Ecuador, chiefly in subtropical to tropical montane rainforests
• Environment: Grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks and branches in high‑humidity cloud forests; prefers consistently moist, well‑drained substrates with abundant organic debris

Leaves

• Hastate (arrow‑shaped) with a pointed apex and basal lobes
• Thin to semi‑coriaceous
• Medium to dark green in mature leaves

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Spathe is pale cream to light green, membranaceous, often held at right angles to the spadix
• Spadix is cylindrical, cream‑white when in anthesis; bears tiny, spiraled flowers

Growth Habit

• Epiphytic subshrub
• Forms short stems with aerial roots
• No true tubers
• Stems arise from a short rhizome beneath leaf clusters

Light Requirements

• Bright, indirect light
• Avoid direct sun which may scorch the leaves

Watering & Humidity

• Substrate evenly moist but not waterlogged
• High humidity (>60%) through misting or a pebble tray

Soil & Potting Mix

• S loose, well‑draining mix of orchid bark, peat moss and perlite
• Container with drainage holes

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Temperatures range: 18–24 °C (65–75 °F)

• Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced, diluted fertilizer

Division and Stem Cuttings

• Most common propagation method is dividing clumps at the rhizome

• Ensure each section has aerial roots and leaves

• Stem cuttings with at least one node can be rooted in moist sphagnum under high humidity

Seeds

• Fruit set is uncommon in cultivation

• Require sterile substrate and warm (24 °C) conditions for germination

Typical Issues

• Spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects and aphids
• Root rot

Treatment Recommendations

• Remove pests manually
• Insecticidal soap or neem oil
• Improve air circulation
• Reduce soil moisture

• Species name means “spear‑leafed,” reflecting its distinctive leaf shape
• Contributes to canopy biodiversity and provides microhabitats for forest fauna

• Rare in the trade
• Prized by specialist collectors of Ecuadorian Anthuriums
• Unique leaf form

Wild Population Status

• Known populations are fragmented and under threat from deforestation

Market Availability

• Occasionally available through specialty aroid nurseries
• Not widely cultivated due to rarity