Anthurium bonplandii G.S. Bunting
Anthurium bonplandii subspecies guayanum

Often confused with Anthurium jenmanii

 

 

Anthurium bonplandii G.S. Bunting
Anthurium bonplandii subspecies guayanum

Possibly a unique species

Additional subspecies: Anthurium bonplandii subspecies cuatrecasii,
  Anthurium bonplandii subspecies bonplandii

Sometimes confused with Anthurium jenmanii

 

The plant in Buddy Poulsen's photographs originated at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden In Miami, FL.  The name on the specimen was on the tag provided by Fairchild.

A member of Anthurium section Pachyneurium, which contains all the birds nest forms,  Anthurium bonplandii was described to science by George Bunting in 1975 from a specimen observed in the Amazon region of Venezuela near the Río Orinoco.  That specimen was observed near Siquita between Isla Castillito and San Fernando de Atabapo at an elevation between 100 and 140 meters (330 feet to 460 feet) above sea level.  The species is primarily terrestrial and is rarely seen as an epiphyte (growing on trees) but does often have an unusual growth habit in that it is found growing on stone.  Bunting reported Anthurium bonplandii to be a favorite place for ants to build a colony around the base of the specimen.  There are actually quite a few plant species that fit into the group of specimens considered "ant plants" and known as myrmecophytes.   Anthurium bonplandii has been divided into several subspecies.  At the present time, all are considered to be A. bonplandii, but some are fairly distinctive from others.  According to Dr. Tom Croat, one subspecies may be the species often sold as Anthurium jenmanii. 

In the year 2007 Anthurium bonplandii subsp. guaynum may have become one of the most often confused Anthurium species available for sale in the world.  The only other plants which may be confused more often are the large group of hybrid plants sold and represented as the species Anthurium hookeri.  You can find a botanically verified photo of Anthurium hookeri with a complete explanation on this website.  According to aroid botanist Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botanical Garden, the plant sold most often in Indonesia, and often on eBay as Anthurium jenmanii, is not likely that species.  The quote below was sent in a message to Denis Rotolante who with his son Bill are owners of Silver Krome Gardens in Homestead, FL.  Silver Krome is one of the largest suppliers of collectable Anthurium species in south Florida.  Dr. Croat is America's most respected aroid botanist and Anthurium expert.

Dr, Croat was referring to his journal, Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 1991, A Division of Anthurium Section Pachyneurium (ARACEAE), Volume 78, #3.  According to Dr. Croat, and the information specified in that journal regarding both species, the species that produces the purple/red leaf is not what everyone considers to be Anthurium jenmanii.  It is instead Anthurium bonplandii subsp. guayanum. 

The leaves of Anthurium bonplandii stand erect with blades typically measuring 30cm to 75cm (1 foot to 29 inches but 35 inches is possible.  Leaves may be as long as 100cm (approximately 3 1/3 feet) and possibly larger in some subspecies.  The upper blade surface is primarily glossy to semi-glossy in appearance while the collective vein typical of all Anthurium species can be observed 3 to 15mm from the edge of the blade.  If you are not familiar with Anthurium species, all Anthurium possess a collective vein which runs the entire circumference of the leaf blade.   The leaf blades are coriacious (leathery) to the touch and have been described as a gorgeous deep green. The blades are supported on a petiole that, if cut as a cross section, is shaped as a capital letter "D".  The petioles are typically 10 to 35cm in length (4 to 13.75 inches).   For those not familiar with the term "petiole", that is the portion of the plant that supports the leaf blade commonly called a "stem".  Anthurium species are known to be highly variable and not every leaf of every specimen will always appear the same.  This link explains in greater detail the scientific principals of natural variation and morphogenesis.  Click here.

 

Within this group, subspecies Anthurium bonplandii subsp. guayanum is slightly different and is typically found at higher elevations  A. bonplandii guayanum is primarily a terrestrial form but is occasionally found growing as an epiphyte.  Dr. Croat notes that A. bonplandii guayanum has a cataphylls tinged with red.  The cataphylls is the plant structure produced at the plant's base and around a new leaf once it begins to emerge.  Once the leaf has developed the cataphylls persists as course fibers near the base rather than the shape typically associated with a cataphylls.  The petioles are large and may be up to 15mm in diameter (.6 inches) and may take on the shape of a capital letter "C" or "D" when cut as a cross section.   The inflorescence may be as long, or longer, than the leaves with a peduncle up to 96cm in length (nearly 38 inches).  Once an inflorescence is produced, the spadix may be up to 35cm (13.75 inches) in length.  The spadix may be reddish to purple to purple/brown at anthesis (when ready to be pollinated).  This subspecies in most common in Bolivar state in the Guiana highlands of Venezuela but is also found in Guiana, Brazil and Suriname.  Since Anthurium bonplandii is quite variable, the various subspecies may be easily confused in regions where their ranges overlap.

Once the species produces a spathe and spadix, the inflorescence is supported by a peduncle that is typically extremely long measuring 30 to 90cm (1 foot to 3 feet) in length.  The spathe may be lanceolate (spear shaped) as well as reflexed (turned back).  The spathe is a pale green to green and is normally flattened on one side.  It often has purple nerves visible that may also appear slightly brown.  The spadix is dark purple to reddish at anthesis (the moment the spadix is ready to be pollinated).  However, the spadix turns grayish green to brown once anthesis has completed.  Once pollinated, the berries produced are obovid (oval and oblong) and the primary color reported is reddish purple.  Once pollination is complete the spathe withers.  Berries are often only produced near the base of the spadix.  Berries may also be purplish violet for this subspecies.  The spathe and spadix are the reproduction portions of the plant and some consider the spathe to be a "flower".  Rather than a flower, the spathe is simply a modified leaf.

 

In its natural habitat, A. bonplandii can be observed from Venezuela,  Colombia, the Guiana Shield, extreme northern Brazil and south into Peru.  Anthurium bonplandii is an extremely variable species and has numerous sub-species with varying blade shapes and sizes and is found from sea level through 1400 meters (up to 4600 feet) in the majority of the northern portion of the Amazon basin.  While rarely an epiphyte, Anthurium bonplandii often grows as an epilithic species on sandstone rocks as well as granite boulders and outcroppings within the Guiana Shield.  As an epilithic form the Anthurium gains virtually all its nourishment and water directly from the atmosphere.

 

Naturalist Joep Moonen (pronounced yupe or jupe), who lives in French Guiana, sent this note regarding Anthurium bonplandii, "I have collected some Anthurium in French Guiana that are now in my collection that are likely A. bonplandii but I call them A. guayanum.  Very nice plants.  I find the leaf form much prettier than A. jenmanii and they resist many more leaf eating insects than A. jenmannii.  Mine flower regularly and produce seeds a few times each year.  Obviously, they are rare.  I know them only from one mountain about 85 km's from my home."  In a separate email message he asked that I add,

 

Based on Dr. Croat's information, our specimen is apparently Anthurium bonplandii subspecies guayanum.  According to Dr. Croat, subsp. guayanum is the specimen with the reddish purple leaf blades when young.  Again, according to Dr. Croat's email message, Anthurium jenmanii does not have the reddish purple leaf blades.  A. bonplandii is similar in appearance to Anthurium jenmanii while young but is most often confused with Anthurium atropurpureum due to the similarity of the leaf blades.  The subspecies of A. bonplandii include Anthurium bonplandii subsp. cuatrecasii which grows primarily on rocks.  The seed berries (according to Dr. Croat) are purplish (Dr. Croat's journal includes a question mark after that statement).  Anthurium bonplandii subsp. guayanum which is generally much larger in overall size, and Anthurium bonplandii subsp. bonplandii which is predominately found in sandy areas.  The primary berry color of subsp. bonplandii is purple.  That subspecies is often found in open savannah areas or primary forests.   Subspecies bonplandii typically has a more elliptical leaf blade but is highly variable in size.  This subspecies is most often found in southwestern Venezuela near several rivers including the Río Orinoco, Río Negro, Río Yatua, and Río Casiquaire.

For a detailed description of all the subspecies of Anthurium bonplandii please refer to the Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 1991, Volume 78, #3.  All technical data including berry coloration was taken from that journal.

For information on Anthurium jenmanii, click this link:
http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Anthurium%20jenmaniii%20pc.html

 
My thanks to Joep Moonen (pronounced yupe or jupe), Denis Rotolante and botanist David Scherberich, Jardin Botanique de la Ville de Lyon in France for reviewing this text.  My thanks also to Buddy Poulsen for the use of his photographs.  And my additional thanks to Buddy for a specimen.  The small specimen above was a gift from Windy Aubrey in Hawaii.
 

Pollinate your own Aroids!
As it occurs in nature and by any horticulturist

 

 

Need more information on Anthurium species?  Click this link.