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Anthurium rulandii Croat & Grib

Introduction & Overview

Common and Scientific Names

  • Scientific Name: Anthurium rulandii Croat & Grib
  • Common Name: No widely recorded common names or synonyms to date

Quick Facts

  • Origin: Endemic to premontane wet forests of Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador
  • Features: Large sagittate leaves up to 95 cm long; green lanceolate spathe (12–15 cm); stipitate white spadix (16.5–20 cm)

Taxonomy & Classification

  • Genus: Anthurium
  • Botanical Background: Described as new to science in 2024 by Thomas B. Croat and James Grib in Aroideana (vol 47(2): 363–374). The epithet honors David Ruland of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, who facilitated study of the cultivated specimens originally collected in 1977.

Natural Habitat & Distribution

  • Geographical Range: Known only from the Río Crystal vicinity near Lita in Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, at about 1200 m elevation.
  • Environment: Grows in premontane wet forest life zones with high humidity, frequent cloud cover, and well‑drained organic soils.

Morphological Characteristics

Leaves

  • Blades narrowly ovate‑sagittate
  • Subcoriaceous texture
  • Dark green and weakly glossy adaxially
  • Paler semigloss abaxially

Inflorescence (Spadix & Spathe)

  • Spathe green‑lanceolate, held at right angles to peduncle
  • Spadix stipitate, whitish at anthesis, turning light brown
  • Slightly unpleasant odor at pollen release

Growth Habit

  • Terrestrial habit
  • Short thick internodes
  • Persistent reddish‑brown fibrous cataphylls
  • No tubers or rhizomes

Cultivation & Care

Light Requirements

  • Bright, indirect light 

Watering & Humidity

  • Consistently moist but not waterlogged soil
  • Humidity >70 %

Soil & Potting Mix

  • Use a well‑draining mix of peat, orchid bark, and perlite

Temperature & Fertilizer

  • Temperatures ideal 18–25 °C (min. 15 °C)

  • Feed monthly with balanced houseplant fertilizer during active growth

Propagation Methods

Division and Stem Cuttings

  • Divide at the root collar

  • Use stem cuttings with at least one leaf node

  • Root in high‑humidity environment

Seeds

  • Rare in cultivation
  • Surface‑sow fresh seed on sterile medium at warm temperatures and high humidity

Common Pests & Diseases

Typical Issues

  • Spider mites, mealybugs common under low humidity

  • Root rot

Treatment Recommendations

  • Wipe leaves
  • Insecticidal soap
  • Repot in fresh, well‑draining medium
  • Reduce watering

Notable Traits & Uses

  • Remained unnamed in cultivation since the 1980s
  • Named for greenhouse manager David Ruland
  • Reflects its horticultural history
  • Valued by collectors for synchronized inflorescences and striking foliage

 Conservation & Availability

Wild Population Status

  • Classified as Data Deficient by IUCN
  • Known restriction to a single locality and limited exploration

Market Availability

  • Rare in trade
  • Offered by specialty aroid nurseries and botanic collections

References & Resources

Further Reading

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