Anthurium is an ornamental plant that blooms very beautifully. The peculiarity of this culture is that it has many varieties that differ in size, inflorescence shape, petal color, leaf shape and size. Depending on the variety of anthurium, the aroma of the flowers is different.
There is a belief that, along with anthurium, family happiness comes to the house. Anthurium is also known as "male happiness."
What does anthurium look like
“Male happiness” refers to the evergreens of the aroid family, a characteristic feature of which is the presence of a “tail”. The closest "relatives" of Anthurium are Dieffenbachia, Spathiphyllum, Monstera. The most common form of anutrium is the epiphyte, which grows in the tropics on a tree and has aerial roots.
What do anthurium look like?
Also a popular form of anthurium in the rainforest is semi-epiphyte - a variety that begins to grow from a seed in the upper forest layer, then takes off aerial roots. Also, the half-epiphyte can first grow on the ground, then climb a tree, turning into an epiphyte.
Note! Male happiness is a flower that has a thick, shortened stalk. In some varieties, the stems are elongated. The stems have shortened internodes. Usually its leaves grow vertically and are located on the end of the stem (terrestrial varieties are an exception). Often leaves form a rosette where moisture and fallen parts of plants accumulate (this is a natural fertilizer).
The leaf shape of male happiness is different: they are round, in some varieties the leaf has a blunt apex or looks like a scapula or heart in shape. There is a variety of anturium, which resembles a vine, this species has lanceolate leaves. There are dissected and multi-pinnate leaf forms. Different varieties of anthurium are united by the fact that the petioles of their leaves always have a geniculum.
Depending on the variety, the leaves may be glossy, semi-gloss or matte. The structure of the leaves are brittle or hard. Crystal anthurium has velvety leaves with light green veins.
Anthurium Crystal
Anturium bisexual flowers. They are usually arranged in spirals on the cob. They can be found in flower shops in bouquet compositions. Florists love this culture because in a cut form anturium is perfectly preserved for a month.
An anthurium inflorescence is a cob in the form of a cone, ball or spiral. The color scheme of the inflorescence is different: white, green, orange, pink, red, purple. There are inflorescences, the color of which includes different shades. In addition to inflorescences, this culture also has a leathery veil. The cover of the inflorescence can also be of different colors: green, white, orange, pink, red or purple. Like an inflorescence, a bedspread can combine several shades.
Interesting fact. In the tropics, anturium rotates leaves during the daylight following the movement of the sun.
Homeland of the plant
The homeland of this decorative culture is the tropics and subtropics of Central and South America. Here it is called the "fiery tongue" or "flamingo." The flower can be found in the territory from Mexico to the north of Argentina and Paraguay.
Here it is wild-growing crops, their number reaches 700 varieties. At home, it is possible to grow only 30 species of this amazing representative of the Aroid family.
Important! Exotics are moody. Reproduction at home is almost impossible.
When and how it blooms
In the tropical homeland, the plant is considered wild-growing, it is not tended to. There it blooms regardless of conditions. However, at home, with improper care, the plant may not bloom at all.
The timing of flowering "flamingos" is determined by the life cycle of the plant. It blooms from the beginning of spring until autumn. However, most varieties of fire tongue in indoor conditions blooms only in the winter. There are varieties (such as Andre) that bloom year round.
Anthuriums at home
If the plant is created with optimal conditions and proper care is provided, then it will be possible to admire the unusually beautiful flowering of the bush for almost a month.
Types of flowers
There are many varieties of anthurium, so there are also many types of its flowers.
The most common species are the flowers of pink Andre anthurium. Their inflorescence resembles a cylinder in shape. The color of the inflorescence is pale pink. The length of the inflorescence is from 9 to 14 cm. The inflorescence is leathery, has the shape of a wide heart. Sometimes its surface is covered with pimples. The color of the bracts is light pink, salmon or snow-white.
The smallest flowers are from the Scherzer variety. The flower stalk length of this plant is 15-50 cm, the bract is 4 to 11 cm long and 3-6 cm wide. It has the shape of an egg or ellipse. Touch it tight. Its color is bright red, with an orange undertone. The color of the bedspread is red, pink or green.
An interesting type of inflorescences in the variety "Amaretti". It was covered with multi-colored, with a smooth transition of one color to another. The prevailing shades of the bedspread are red, orange, yellow and green.
Variety "Princess Alexia" conquers the hearts of flower growers with the sky-blue color of buds.
Flower shape
The shape of the flowers resemble a rhombus or square. Their surface is smooth, as if covered with a layer of wax. They consist of a four-membered perianth and 4 stamens. The stigma is usually in the form of a disk, the ovary is two-celled. Each nest contains 1-2 ovules.
Different varieties differ in the shape of the inflorescence: it is straight, upward or twisted by a spiral. The color of the inflorescence in different species is different.
The ear grows from the center of the bedspread, which is often mistaken for a single petal. However, in fact, a veil is a leaf that a plant needs in order to attract pollinators.
Additional Information. At different times of the year and day, anturium can emit a great odor. Sometimes the aroma is barely perceptible and very pleasant, at another time it is sharp and cloying. So the plant attracts different insects for pollination.
Kinds
Anthurium Scherzer
This is a favorite of beginner gardeners, as it is unpretentious and does not require increased attention to itself in the process of growing at home. This is a short perennial, the leaf plates of which are deep emerald green in color.
Anthurium Scherzer
Its inflorescence is in the form of an orange spiral, the veil has the shape of a reddish-orange heart.
Anthurium Dakota
Today it is perhaps the most popular inhabitant of the windowsill of many gardeners.
Anthurium Dakota
Unlike other species, Europe is the birthplace of this variety. Florists love this variety for the duration of flowering.
Anthurium Black Love
This kind of "flamingo" has the appearance of an evergreen shrub. In its natural habitat, it is tall and sprawling. At home, the bush grows up to 50 cm in height. It has dark green heart-shaped leaves with barely noticeable veins.
Anthurium Black Love
Its buds are initially a beige hue, with time, stretching upwards, begin to blacken. A cover of a juicy burgundy shade, its shape is similar to a heart.
Additional Information. This variety is interesting in that on the reverse side its leaves feel like velvet to the touch: they are covered with many small villi.
Anthurium Black Queen
This variety is also called the "Queen" or "Prince". The buds of this variety are saturated purple in color, which look very impressive surrounded by bright green leaves.
Anthurium Black Queen
A characteristic feature of this kind of fire tongue is that on its buds and bedspread there is a reddish tint.
Additional Information. This variety was bred artificially by flower growers, so buds of different colors can bloom on the same bush. The shade of the buds can range from dark red and red-violet to purple-black.
Anthurium Black Beauty
This is not the most popular flamingo variety. Otherwise, it is called black anthurium. Its distinctive feature is the shape of the bedspread. Unlike other varieties, Black Beauty has a veil shaped like a tulip. Its leaves are juicy green, on their back there are burgundy streaks.
Anthurium Black Beauty
At home, with proper care, this variety grows to a height of 65 cm. However, with a deficiency, the leaves will turn yellow.
Anthurium Fantasy Love
Fantasy Love is a large decorative variety. A sign by which it is very easy to recognize this variety is mix-colored buds. When the cover opens, you can see the buds of different colors: white, pink, green. With the age of inflorescences, Fantasy Love varieties, which previously had a white color, turn greenish.
Anthurium Fantasy Love
Caring for a flower male happiness at home involves regular plentiful watering, high humidity and ambient light. With a lack of light, the plant wilts, it may not bloom. With proper care, it will delight the owner with its unusual buds throughout the summer.
Anthurium Andrianum
This anthurium is red. The variety is unusually beautiful, because it is very loved by gardeners and florists. In addition, there is a legend according to which the "fiery language" is able to bring good luck and financial well-being to the one who grows it.
Anthurium Andrianum
The red flower of anthurium will protect its owner from troubles and adversities. There is also a belief that the plant gives an inexhaustible supply of masculine strength to guys.
Why they say that anthurium can not be kept at home
When choosing indoor plants, you should be extremely careful, attentive and watchful. Some flowers are not safe to keep at home. Among these cultures include anturium.
It is not recommended to start a plant at home for families with pets and small children - pollen of all varieties of flamingos is very allergenic. For this reason, it is dangerous to start this exotism for people suffering from bronchial asthma.
All varieties exude a characteristic odor during flowering that attracts insects. A person with prolonged stays in a room where a blooming male flower is standing anthurium may have a headache. In addition, it was found that the smell of the plant leads to restless sleep.
Important! The juice of the plant contains a toxic substance. If exotica juice gets on the skin or mucous membranes, it will lead to irritation and itching.
So, if you think logically, then anturium requires a lot of attention and makes high demands on care, in addition, it can lead to health problems in adults, children and pets.
From the point of view of beliefs and traditions, exot has a positive meaning for home and family:
- It is considered the guardian of family happiness. Therefore, it is started by both men and women who dream of a strong family and mutual understanding with the opposite sex. There is such a belief: if a woman cares for this flower, it means that she will always be appreciated and loved by a man.
- "Flamingo" is considered a symbol of passion, so it is often given by lovers to each other. In some countries, it is customary to give this exot to the newlyweds, at the wedding a white anthurium is a symbol of chastity.
- In folk medicine, you can find recipes that use anturium. It is used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Tip. It is believed that the magical power of exotics is at its maximum during flowering. It was at this time that one must make cherished desires and rely on the supernatural powers of the plant.
In addition, many believe that the strength of anthurium is enhanced if it grows next to spathiphyllum - the flower of female happiness. "Working" in a duet, these decorative plants bring harmony and comfort to the family relationships of couples, mutual love and respect, boundless tenderness and happiness.
Symbol of passion
Thus, it is quite possible to keep anthurium pulp, if the family does not have those who suffer from allergies or bronchial asthma. There are no negative signs associated with “male happiness”. At the same time, an important condition for magic action is that you cannot buy it yourself: it must be donated.
Anthurium Picasso
Only as a gift, he will be able to fill the home with positive energy.
