Anthurium remotum Croat & D.C.Bay

• Genus: Anthurium
• Botanical Background: Described by Thomas B. Croat & D.C. Bay in Novon 16(1): 45, the epithet remotum (“distant”) refers to the unusually remote placement of its collective veins on the leaf blade

• Geographical Range: Restricted to the Bajo Calima region along the Buenaventura–Málaga road in Valle del Cauca, Colombia, below 150 m elevation.
• Environment: Epiphytic in tropical wet forest to premontane wet forest transition zones; thrives in warm, humid conditions with well‑drained canopy substrates.

Leaves

• Moderately coriaceous, ovate, elongate‑acuminate apex, broadly obtuse base

• Size is 26–35.5 × 11.5–19 cm; 1.8–2.2× longer than wide

• Petiole about 14–35 cm long, subterete, narrowly flattened adaxially

• Venation with 3–4 basal veins; 7–8 lateral veins per side; collective veins 1–6 cm from margin

• Upper surface weakly glossy dark green; lower surface paler semiglossy

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

• Erect, 17.5–22.5 cm long peduncle

• Reflexed, 4–5.3 cm long, 1.3–1.8 mm wide, acuminate, medium green peduncle

• Stipitate 6–7 mm, 3.5–4.4 cm long, 5–7 mm diam., semiglossy dark green spadix

• Flowers is rhombic, 1–1.7 × 0.9–1.4 mm, tepals strongly exserted

• Bright red berries fruit

Growth Habit

• Epiphytic subshrub; stem short, internodes 5–14 mm diam

• Cataphylls up to 9 cm long, deciduous, persisting as pale yellowish‑white fibers

• No tubers or rhizomes

Light Requirements

• Bright, indirect light

• Avoid direct midday sun to prevent leaf scorch

Watering & Humidity

• Keep medium evenly moist but not waterlogged

• Maintain high humidity (70–90 %)

Soil & Potting Mix

• Use a well‑draining epiphytic mix (orchid bark, perlite, sphagnum, leaf mold) with good aeration

Temperature & Fertilizer

• Ideal range 18–28 °C; avoid below 15 °C

• Fertilize monthly during active growth with balanced dilute feed

Division and Cuttings

• Divide clumps or use stem cuttings with aerial roots

• Ensure each section has a growing point and roots

Seeds

• Sow seeds in sterile, moist medium under warm, humid conditions

• Germination can be slow and variable

Typical Issues

• Mealybugs, spider mites, scale

• Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot

• Ensure good air circulation

Treatment Recommendations

• Use insecticidal soap or neem oil for pests
• For root rot, improve drainage, reduce watering, repot in fresh medium
• Apply fungicide if needed

• The name remotum highlights its distant collective veins
• The lower leaf surface dries to a silvery‑platinum shee

• Prized by aroid enthusiasts for its bicolorous foliage and distinctive stipitate inflorescences
• Suitable for mounting or terrarium

Wild Population Status

• Restricted distribution suggests potential vulnerability

• No formal IUCN assessment to date

Market Availability

• Rarely available outside specialist aroid collections

• Seldom seen in general trade