Exotic Rainforest rare tropical plants

Anthurium regale Linden
The Regal Anthurium

Originally identified in 1888, a specimen of Anthurium regale is often very difficult to locate and many find it difficult to grow. An exquisite aroid, A. regale can be pricey when you are fortunate enough to locate a specimen. When I first saw a photograph of the very rare Peruvian beauty I immediately began a hunt to find one. It took months. Fortunately, some friends in Fort Lauderdale knew exactly where to look and some months later the plant was on it's way from South America. A native of Peru's Rio Huallaga valley, the aroid is a member of section Cardiolonchium. This group is characterized by plants with leaf blades that appear velvety on the upper surface. Other well known members of the section include Anthurium crystallinum, A. magnificum and A. warocqueanum.

Despite the common misconception Anthurium regale is found in Ecuador, that is apparently not correct. The Missouri Botanical Garden's TROPICOS shows no collection records for Ecuador and only one specimen record can be found for Colombia. The specimen in Colombia may have actually been Anthurium magnificum. A. magnificum is a very similar yet not as stunning Colombian species often confused by collectors with A. regale. It may be commonly accepted the plant is from Ecuador since the anthurium is often exported by an Ecuadorian grower to collectors in the United States.

According to all the information we have been able to uncover Anthurium regale prefers cooler temperatures and high humidity, something many growers cannot easily offer. As a result, many experience difficulty having the plant prosper and reach its potential size. I have received requests from growers in Florida asking how to save their beloved plant and all I can offer is to air-condition an area of the greenhouse and keep the potting media damp but not wet! The species is found in the cool (not cold) Andes Mountains at relatively low elevations and is a terrestrial anthurium. Although some sources recommend only very dim light, as is illustrated by one of Dr. Tom Croat's photos and a description on TROPICOS it is sometimes found growing alongside old roads in bright light. The plant often suffers if grown in hot conditions. Unlike many tropical plants it appears not to appreciate heat. Some growers actually give it an air-conditioned corner of the greenhouse called a "cool wall". In our atrium the anthurium benefits from temperatures that average in the 70's along with a perpetually high humidity level of 85%, often much higher. Our plant produced a spathe and spadix in December, 2006. You can see the growth of the inflorescence by finding Anthurium regale on the Plants Collection page of this website. That page offers a much more detailed explanation regarding the care of this aroid and is indexed via the homepage.

Our Anthurium regale was located by Natural Selections Exotics in Fort Lauderdale, FL. A truly rare specimen, it is one almost any "plant nut" would love to add to a collection! But if you wish to grow it be sure and give the plant what it expects and deserves: cool, humid growing conditions! Personally, I do not recommend this species as a "house plant" due to the eventual size and need for very high humidity.

Anthurium regale is a regal addition to our collection and worth every penny!

Anthurium regale now hangs at the end of the South Walk. The photo will take you there.