Anthurium oyuelae Croat

• Genus: Anthurium Schott
• Botanical Background: Described by Thomas B. Croat in Rodriguésia 66(3): 772 (2015) based on collections by Croat & Oyuela. Named in honor of German Orlando Oyuela Torres, director of Jardín Botánico San Jorge, for his contributions to Colombian Araceae research.

• Geographical Range: Endemic to the Cañón de Río Combeima, Reserva Natural Ibanasca (El Palmar), Tolima, Colombia, at ca. 2,300 m elevation.
• Environment: Thrives as an epiphyte 2–3 m above ground or terrestrially on shaded, steep slopes in lower montane humid (cloud) forests with high humidity and low light.

Leaves

• 12–14 leaves per stem apex; petiole ~85 cm long, 6–7 mm diameter when fresh

• Blade ovate‑triangular, 36–46 cm long × 16.5–24.5 cm wide, subcoriaceous, dark green semi‑shiny adaxial, lighter matte abaxial

• Venation: 3 pairs of primary lateral veins at 55–64°, weakly sunken adaxial, prominent abaxial; 4–5 basal veins, 2 free at base

• Upper surface marked by sunken areolate wrinkles with pale linear cellular inclusions

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Peduncle 45–85 cm long, 4–6 mm diameter, green sulcate, 3.6× longer than spathe
• Spathe reflexed, 10.7–18.5 cm long × 3.6–4 cm wide; interior violet‑purple, subcoriaceous; exterior light green with fine purple lines
• Spadix sessile, 17–21 cm long, 11–15 mm diameter at base, tapering, apex rounded, dark matte purple; pollen pale yellow

• 8–9 spirals of flowers; tepals ~1.8–2 mm wide; stamens ~0.6 mm long

Growth Habit

• Epiphytic hemiepiphyte with thick roots (0.5–0.7 cm diameter)
• Short internodes (ca. 4 cm)
• Persistent lanceolate cataphylls (15–22 cm long) forming a fibrous sheath

Light Requirements

• Bright, indirect light
• Avoid direct sun to prevent leaf burn

Watering & Humidity

• Keep medium evenly moist but not waterlogged
• Humidity 70–90%

Soil & Potting Mix

• Use an airy mix of peat moss, orchid bark, and perlite to ensure drainage and aeration
  

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Maintain 12–22 °C
• Feed monthly during active growth with balanced, dilute fertilizer

Division and Cuttings

• Divide rhizome segments or take stem cuttings with at least one node
• Root in moist, sterile medium under high humidity

Seeds

• Limited availability
• Sow fresh seeds on sterile, well‑draining substrate under warm (20–25 °C), humid conditions; germination may take 2–4 weeks

Typical Issues

• Spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects
• Root rot (Phytophthora, Pythium), bacterial blight (Xanthomonas)

Treatment Recommendations

• Prevent by regular inspection and high humidity

• Ensure good drainage, avoid overwatering, treat fungal issues with appropriate fungicides

• Named for German Orlando Oyuela Torres, whose work in Ibanasca contributed to its discovery
• Leaf surface texture is unique among Colombian Anthuriums

• Striking reflexed violet‑purple spathe and large, triangular, areolate leaves make it a desirable collector’s plant
  

Wild Population Status

• Known only from the type locality; likely rare and potentially data‑deficient
• Montane cloud forests face habitat pressures

Market Availability

• Not commercially available
• Exists only in specialized botanical collections and possibly ex situ at Jardín Botánico San Jorge