Anthuriums (Araceae)

by by the United States National Park Service

The original sign.

Anthuriums (Araceae)
(Anthuriums) Arum Family

There are 500 varieties of these plants native to Central and South America and the Carribean Islands. Anthuriums are perennials that grow on the ground or up in trees. The local varieties along the trail are anthurium acaule (scrub brush) and anthurium cordatum (heart leaf). Both are foliage species not of the flowering group of anthuriums.

Scrub brush has long green leaves with seasonal red fruit. Dead leaves form a lacy “skeleton” that is used traditionally to scrub pots and pans.

Heart leaf produces beautiful foliage that sometimes is home for nests of jack-spaniards (wasps) and tree snails. The pistil of this plant is a long, rough, green “whip.”