Anthurium misturatum Croat

• Genus: Anthurium
• Botanical Background: 

  Described by Thomas B. Croat in May 2018 (Aroideana 41(1):83), based on a specimen collected 17 km west of Río Lita bridge in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, at 425 m elevation. Croat is a leading aroid taxonomist at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

• Geographical Range: Wet tropical forests of northwestern Ecuador, notably Esmeraldas Province.
• Environment: Thrives in the humid understory of lowland rainforests, growing in humus‑rich, well‑drained soils under high relative humidity.

Leaves

• Elliptic‑lanceolate, up to 30 cm long, subcoriaceous, medium green
• Slightly undulate margins and 8–10 pairs of closely spaced primary lateral veins

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Typical Araceae inflorescence with pale green spathe
• Surrounding a greenish spadix bearing spirally arranged unisexual flowers

Growth Habit

• Terrestrial subshrub with a short erect stem atop a creeping rhizome
• Produces new shoots along the rhizome; no tubers

Light Requirements

• Bright, indirect light

• Avoid prolonged direct sun to prevent leaf scorch

Watering & Humidity

• Allow the top 1–2 cm of soil to dry slightly between waterings

• Maintain humidity above 60%

Soil & Potting Mix

• Use a well‑draining, organic‑rich mix (peat‑based with perlite or orchid bark)
• Ensure pots have drainage holes 

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Maintain 18–29 °C (65–85 °F), avoiding below 15 °C
• Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth

Division and Cuttings

• Best by rhizome division, cutting sections with at least one shoot and root bud
• Sections may also root in sphagnum beds under humid conditions

Seeds

• Fresh seeds germinate in 4–6 weeks when sown in moist, partially shaded substrate at ~25 °C
• Maintaining high humidity in sealed containers improves success

Typical Issues

• Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and scale
• Maintain good air circulation
• Avoid prolonged leaf wetness to prevent infestations

Treatment Recommendations

• Control pests with insecticidal soap or neem oil
• Apply copper‑based fungicides for fungal spots and recommended bactericides for blight
• Remove infected tissue promptly

• Among the latest species described in 2018
• Highlighting the rich but still underexplored diversity of Ecuadorian aroids 

• Prized by collectors for its undulate, rippled foliage
• limited availability, adding textural contrast to aroid collections

Wild Population Status

• Predicted as threatened in the Angiosperm Extinction Risk Predictions v1 due to its narrow endemic range

  
  

Market Availability

• Rarely available outside specialist nurseries, with sporadic listings reflecting its rarity