Anthurium mindense Sodiro

• Genus: Anthurium
• Botanical Background: First described by Luis Sodiro in Anales de la Universidad Central del Ecuador in 1901. The epithet mindense refers to the Mindo region in western Ecuador where the type specimen was collected

• Geographical Range: Occurs from southern Colombia (Caquetá, Cauca, Nariño, Putumayo) to western Ecuador (Azuay, Carchi, Chimborazo, Cotopaxi, El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas, Imbabura, Loja, Manabí, Morona‑Santiago)
• Environment: Thrives as an epiphyte or terrestrial subshrub in montane and cloud forests at 750–2600 m, favoring high humidity, consistent moisture, and organic, well‑draining substrates

Leaves

• Blades are cordate to sagittate,

• Often 20–40 cm long

• Dark green above and paler below

• Netted venation

• Slightly pleated surface

• Petioles are frequently winged and ribbed

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Produces a hooded spathe, green to brown, over a cylindrical spadix with bisexual flowers

• Pollination is likely by small flies or bees attracted to a mild scent

Growth Habit

• Climbing subshrub or hemiepiphyte with a creeping rhizome and aerial roots for support

• Lacks true tubers

Light Requirements

• Provide bright, indirect light

• About six hours daily but avoiding direct sun to prevent leaf scorch

Watering & Humidity

• Keep the growing medium evenly moist but not waterlogged
• Maintain high humidity (70–90%) to mimic cloud‑forest conditions

Soil & Potting Mix

• Use a coarse, well‑draining mix of orchid bark, perlite, and peat moss or coconut coir

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Ideal range is 16–22 °C

• Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season

Division and Cuttings

• Best achieved by dividing the rhizome or taking stem cuttings that include at least one node

Seeds

• Seed propagation is possible but slow
• Fresh seeds sown in a sterile, moist medium at around 25 °C may take several months to germinate

Typical Issues

• Spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects, whiteflies, and aphids
• Root rot from overwatering
  

Treatment Recommendations

• Insecticidal soaps, miticides, or systemic insecticides
• Neem oil, alcohol‑dipped cotton swabs for scale,
• Adjusting watering to prevent root rot
• Repot in fresh mix when needed

• The epithet mindense highlights its origin in Mindo, Ecuador
• It has featured in species distribution models studying Andean cloud‑forest epiphytes

• Prized by specialist collectors for its cloud‑forest foliage and climbing habit
• Remains less common in cultivation than velvet‑leaf Anthurium

Wild Population Status

• Predicted extinction risk is “not threatened” with high confidence according to the 2024 Angiosperm Extinction Risk Prediction

Market Availability

• Rare in mainstream trade
• Collectors often source it through specialty aroid groups (e.g., Anthurium Addicts) and niche nurseries