Anthurium pseudospectabile (pseudo-spec-TAB-i-lee) is found endemically (exclusively) in northwestern Panama near an area known as the Fortuna Dam.  Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botanical Garden, the botanical author of this species, has collected specimens at elevations ranging from 590 to 1600 meters (1,935 to 5,250 feet).  However, the species is more common at elevations between 1,250 to 1,500 meters (4,100 to 4,920 feet) in a region that is composed of pre-mountainous rain forest.  Anthurium pseudospectabile grows along the continental divide between the provinces of Bocas del Toro and Chiriqui.

The original type specimen of the species Anthurium pseudospectabile was found in April, 1980 in the province of Chiriquí along a road between Gualaca and Forluna Dam approximately 13.36 kilometers (8.3 miles) northwest of Los Planes de Homito at an elevation of 1,260 meters (4,135 feet) in what Dr. Croat described as "virgin" rain forest.  Although inland, the area is closer to the Pacific coastline than the Atlantic side of Panama and is between the villages of Tierras Negras and Boca del Monte.  He describes the species as an unusually pendent epiphyte.  For those unfamiliar with botanical terms, a pendent epiphyte is one that grows from the branches of a tree with its leaves hanging downwards.  The term is sometimes used as "pendant", but in the botanical form it is correctly pendent.  The species is rarely, if ever, found in soil.   However, the species is known to grow on rock faces (see photo right, below).

Anthurium pseudospectabile is a member of Anthurium section Pachyneurium and the leaves can measure 2 meters (6.5 feet) or more in length by up to 50cm (19.7 inches) wide.  In addition to the species' pendent growth habit, the leaf blades are elongated possessing multiple veins.  Those long blades have a slight grayish cast and also possess an undulated margin.  An undulate margin is simply describing the leaf edge as possessing a wavy appearance.  The largest leaf on our specimen (top of page) measures approximately 107cm (3.5 feet) in length.   As a comparison, the wooden box measures 30cm (12 inches).  However, it has now been determined our specimenat the top of this page is likely only a hybrid with Anthurium pseudospectabile as one of the parents.

This note received on April 21, 2008 from Anthurium expert Neil Carroll helps to clarify the identification of our specimen as well as other valuable information regarding the species, "I have attached a couple photos I took this past December in Panama around the Fortuna Dam site. the smaller one was growing on a rock in the shade. The larger one had leaves at least 7 ft. long (picture with holes in the leaves).  I also have a photo of the plant I donated to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. on my website under the species name.  Look at the pictures of the smaller one I just sent you on the rocks. Look at the habit of their growth. It is quite different than the picture on your website. See how your plant sends and holds the leaf blades on erect petioles? Mine have always hung close to the surface of the container and the leaves hang down from there. Yours sends the petioles up and then the leaves hang down.  Look at the way the lateral veins come off of the central vein. See the difference?  The overall color of the leaves on your plant seem to be much greener than the specimens I have seen....which have a gray green color to them. I have never seen one with anything but terete petioles. I have seen at least 60 or 70 specimens."  The specimen is obviously deceptive, but if you have purchased a plant sold as Anthurium pseudospectabile within the United States, compare your plant to the scientific information contained in this article as well as Neil's observations.  You may learn, as we did, our specimen was not the true species.

Dr. Croat indicates in his description that Anthurium pseudospectabile is closely related to Anthurium spectabile (spec-TAB-a-lee) which is found from central Costa Rica to Nicaragua.  But Anthurium spectabile differs significantly by having broader leaf blades which lack the undulated leaf margins.  The cataphylls, which are the plant structures that surround a newly emerging leaf, are subcoriaceous (less than leathery) and measure 31 to 37cm (12.2 to 13.5 inches) in length.  Once the leaf is developed, those cataphylls dry to be tan in color and split into fibers at the base.  The petioles which support the leaves (commonly called stems) are subterete (less than round) and are somewhat flattened in appearance but may be bluntly quadrangular (four sided) according to a personal note from Dr. Croat.  The petioles measure from 14 to 60cm (5.5 to 23.5 inches) in length.  The leaf blades are moderately thick (coriaceous) measuring up to approximately 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length.  They are broadest in the middle with the upper surface matte to semi-glossy.  The lower side of the leaf blade is semi-glossy.   A principal difference a collector can use to determine if a specimen is Anthurium pseudospectabile or Anthurium spectabile is to closely examine the petioles.  The latter are markedly quadrangular while the petioles of Anthurium pseudospectabile are almost always round (terete) but may be slightly quadrangular according to Dr. Croat.

As with any aroid, the reproductive portion of Anthurium pseudospectabile is known as an inflorescence and is composed of a spathe and spadix.  The inflorescence grows on a short support known as a peduncule which hangs pendently (downward) from the specimen.  The spathe is thick and is green on the lower surface but is heavily tinged with purple on the upper surface.  The spathe is considered lanceolate, or spear shaped, and typically measures 10 to 32cm (4 to 12.6 inches) in length.  Normally twisted, the spathe is green to purple.   

Once pollinated, the spadix will produce fruit in the form of berries that are a brilliant orange once ripe.  Those berries are described by Dr. Croat as oblong to ellipsoid.  Once fruit develops the inflorescence is known as an infructescence and the entire infructescence continues to hangs pendently. 

if you are curious how an Anthurium as large as Anthurium pseudospectabile can find its way onto the branches of a tree or survive without soil, the answer is quite simple.  Many species of birds and animals eat the fruit of an Anthurium as a part of their normal diet.  The majority of those berries contain two seeds and once the bird or other animal leaves its droppings on a tree branch there is just enough nutrient surrounding the seed to allow it to germinate.  In a few years a very large Anthurium will dangle its leaves and roots from the branches of the tree while gathering all its moisture and nutrients directly from the atmosphere.  Anthurium and other epiphytic species are able to be self sustaining due to an effect often known as the "trash basket effect".  The leaves and roots gather a fair amount of falling debris such as dead leaves and animal debris as they drift by the specimen.  As those leaves and debris decay they supply the plant with natural fertilizer nutrients as well as a method of storing water.  As a result, the plant has no need for soil.  In addition, the long roots that hang from the specimen are extremely efficient at gathering and retaining water.  The host tree does little to supply nutrients other than acting as a support.  By definition, an epiphyte is a plant that draws nothing from the host.

Our specimen is growing epiphytically in a large 30cm (12 inch) wooden orchid basket packed with sphagnum moss and no soil.  The moss is kept constantly damp.   Being a high mountain species, Anthurium pseudospectabile prefers slightly cooler growing conditions (not cold) which makes it ideal for our Arkansas "rain forest".  To successfully grow a specimen keep it in a humid area with a high moisture level in bright but indirect light.

The source for the information on this page is the Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 1991, Volume 78, #3 by Dr. Thomas B. Croat as well as personal email exchanges with Dr. Croat.  The scientific description of Anthurium pseudospectabile is found on page 709.  Copies are available from the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, MO.

To see the rain forest region surrounding Fortuna Dam, Panama, visit the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute: http://striweb.si.edu/fortuna_plants/description.php