Anthurium polyschistum
Colombia to Ecuador and northeastern Bolivia.
First described by Richard Evans Schultes & Jesús Idrobo. (1959)
Small to medium leaves divided into multiple narrow lobes, giving an aralia-like or ferny look compared with typical entire Anthurium leaves.
Trailing or scrambling epiphytic Anthurium with divided foliage; works well where it can spill slightly rather than stand upright.
The epithet polyschistum suggests many-divided or much-split, referring to the divided leaf form.
Accepted Anthurium species. POWO lists it as an epiphytic subshrub from Colombia to Ecuador and northeastern Bolivia in the wet tropical biome. It is unusual in the genus because of its deeply divided leaves.
Use bright filtered light, steady moisture, and an airy mix. It appreciates humidity but is less velvet-leaf-fussy than the most delicate collector Anthuriums.
Repot only when needed into a chunky bark/perlite/coco or similar aroid mix. Keep the crown above the mix and avoid oversized pots.
Monthly at quarter to half strength during active growth. Flush occasionally if using mineral fertiliser.
- Leggy growth in low light; dry leaf tips; broken divided leaves from handling; rot if kept too dense and wet.
- It barely looks like a stereotypical Anthurium, which makes it a fun “wait, THAT is an Anthurium?” plant.