Anthurium oxybelium Schott

• Genus: Anthurium
• Botanical Background: Described by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott in 1857 (Oesterr. Bot. Wochenbl. 7: 310).

• Geographical Range: Native to the Andean slopes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, where it occurs from lowland rainforests up to montane cloud forests.
• Environment: Humid (80–90 percent) tropical conditions under a closed canopy; found on shaded forest floors, climbing up trunks or growing among leaf litter; soils are rich in organic matter with good drainage.

Leaves

• Ovate to broadly cordate with a truncate sinus
• Coriaceous (leathery) with a prominent midrib
• Reticulate lateral veins

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Spathe is lanceolate to ovate, typically green to pale roseate and held at roughly right angles to the spadix
• Spadix is cylindrical, bearing tiny bisexual flowers in spirals

Growth Habit

• Scandent terrestrial climber
• With internodes often exceeding 2 cm in length
• May produce aerial roots when climbing over tree trunks

Light Requirements

• Bright filtered light
• Avoid direct sun to prevent leaf scorch 

Watering & Humidity

• Evenly moist substrate
• Water once weekly
• Humidity above 60%

Soil & Potting Mix

• A loose, well‑draining mix of orchid bark, peat moss, and perlite
• Ensure good aeration around roots

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Temperatures range 16–24 °C

• Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season

Division and Stem Cuttings

• Divide mature rhizomes or use stem cuttings with at least one node
• Keep cuttings warm and humid until roots form

Seeds

• Seed propagation possible but slower
• Best under high humidity and warm temperatures

Typical Issues

• Mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects and thrips
• Root rot

Treatment Recommendations

• Neem oil or insecticidal soap
• Systemic insecticides

• Improve drainage

• Reduce humidity around leaf surfaces

• Member of the “oxybelium complex,” a group of large‑leaved high‑altitude Anthuriums
• Common and abundant in some Colombian cloud‑forest reserves
  

• Dramatic cordate foliage and elegant, pendulous inflorescences
• Displayed as a focal point in advanced aroid collections

Wild Population Status

• Not evaluated by the IUCN
• Considered stable and locally abundant in protected Andean forests

Market Availability

• Occasionally offered by specialist nurseries

• Rare in general trade but valued among aroid enthusiasts