What is this growing from my plant?

Discussion in 'Indoor and Greenhouse Plants' started by Sandra75, Feb 13, 2008.

  1. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    Don't feel like the Lone Ranger! I learn new things each and every day. I learned a big one about Anthurium species just this morning!!
     
  2. Sandra75

    Sandra75 Active Member

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    What did you learn about Anthurium? I have one but I'm not sure if 'it's' really one. heres a pic:
     

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  3. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    On any Anthurium there is a bump just beneath the leaf blade at the top of the petiole. That bump is called the geniculum. I have known it was there for many years. What I didn't know is the geniculum acts like a ''wrist'', and actually allows the leaf blade to rotate to align itself with the light source. It occurs only on some aroid genera including Anthurium and Spathiphyllum but not on others. The geniculum is used by botanists to determine if any new species is an Anthurium since Philodendron don't have it. And I just learned that today!
     
  4. Sandra75

    Sandra75 Active Member

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    Thats cool, I'll have to get myself a Anthurium, if the one I have isnt one.
     
  5. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    Just examine the top of the petiole closely. Look right beneath the leaf blade. If you see the geniculum (a bump), you've got an Anthurium. Unless of course it is a spath!
     
  6. Sandra75

    Sandra75 Active Member

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    hummm... no I don't think mines is a Anthurium. Leaves got almost same shape but I just dont see what you call a geniculum.
     
  7. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    There are over 800 species of Anthurium known to science. The leaves can be anything from very fine running along on a vine to enormous at over 6 feet long. They can take on many, many shapes and thicknesses. Some grow in very bright light, some in subdued light, some up on the branches of a tree, some climb trees and a few even grow in direct sunlight. But every Anthurium has that geniculum.
     
  8. Sandra75

    Sandra75 Active Member

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    Makes me wonder what plant I have....
     
  9. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    Post a photo and give us some measurements. I'm sure someone can figure it out.
     
  10. edleigh7

    edleigh7 Well-Known Member

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    Sandra, we will make an "aroid nut" out of you yet!! : )
    Sounds like you are really getting into it!!

    Ed
     
  11. Sandra75

    Sandra75 Active Member

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    LOL, yeah! :D
     
  12. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    I went through about 40 juvenile Monstera deliciosa today looking for one that might be similar. I did find a couple that could match your photo so this certainly may be that species. Those were around 5 months old. Watch the plant and if the leaves begin to split it is likely what you have. Whether a Monstera or a Phlodendron, give it something to cling to and climb.
     
  13. Sandra75

    Sandra75 Active Member

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    Thanks so much for your research!! I appreciate it a lot... :D
     

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