Anthurium oxystachyum Croat

• Genus: Anthurium
• Botanical Background: Described by botanist Thomas B. Croat in 1986, based on collections from Panama.

• Geographical Range: Endemic to Coclé Province in central Panama.
• Environment: An epiphytic subshrub in the wet tropical biome, thriving in humid, shaded premontane rainforests at elevations near 900 m.

Leaves

• Lanceolate blades, mostly obtuse to subrounded at the base and broadest below the middle
• Petioles slender, equal to or exceeding blade length

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Slender spadix subtended by a narrow spathe
• After pollination, berries contain three seeds
• Pollination is typically by small flies and beetles

Growth Habit

• An epiphytic subshrub with short, slender stems, aerial roots, and a basal rhizome
• Does not form tubers

Light Requirements

• Bright, indirect light

• Avoid direct sun to prevent leaf scorch

Watering & Humidity

• Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
• Maintain humidity above 60 percent with misting or a pebble tray

Soil & Potting Mix

• Use a well‑draining mix of peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark in a pot with drainage holes

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Ideal temperatures 16–22 °C (60–72 °F)
• Apply a balanced, water‑soluble fertilizer every two to four weeks during active growth

Division and Cuttings

• Divide the rhizome or take stem cuttings with at least one node

• Root in a moist, sterile medium under high humidity

Seeds

• Fruit set is uncommon
• Fresh seeds sown in a warm, sterile medium germinate in six to eight weeks under constant moisture

Typical Issues

• Scale insects, thrips, and fungus gnats
• Inspect new plants and ensure good air circulation to deter infestations

Treatment Recommendations

• For pests treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap; systemic insecticides for severe cases
• For root rot allow soil to dry, prune away affected roots, and repot in fresh, well‑draining mix

• The epithet oxystachyum means “sharp spike,” alluding to its narrow spadix
• As an epiphyte, it contributes to canopy biodiversity and microhabitat complexity

• Valued by collectors for its slender, lanceolate foliage and rarity in cultivation

Wild Population Status

• Not yet evaluated by the IUCN

• Its restricted range suggests potential vulnerability

Market Availability

• Rare in the trade
• Occasionally offered by specialist nurseries and aroid societies