The genus Anthurium is not found naturally in Asia

Discussion in 'HortForum' started by photopro, Sep 8, 2007.

  1. photopro

    photopro Well-Known Member

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    Some may refer from time to time to an internet "encyclopedia" known as Wikipedia. Regrettably, there is apparently no board of scholars to verify any information posted on that so-called "encyclopedia". Anyone can edit anything on that website! Some governments are finding the history of their own countries being changed as a result of this "encyclopedia".

    I have recently received more than one communication from Southeast Asia claiming Anthurium species are naturally found in the rain forests of India, and other Asian countries. According to the work of noted aroid botanist Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botanical Garden, this information is simply unfounded. Dr. Croat is considered the ultimate authority in botanical science on the genus Anthurium. And the source of the bad information may be credited in part to Wikipedia.

    I recently edited their information and made it as accurate as possible. However, tomorrow someone else may go back and change that information to something with less than scientific background. The genus Anthurium is now found in many South Pacific islands, but only as an introduced species. In Hawaii, many species can be found currently in cultivation since the genus is used to hybridize many hybrid variations. But all were introduced.

    There are an estimated 800 scientifically described species of Anthurium currently known to botanical science. They are found throughout southern Mexico, Central America and much of South America with a few species found in the West Indies. But aroid botanists know there may be an equal number of unidentified species still not located and described in the rain forests of many South American countries, especially Ecuador and Colombia. The vast majority of the rarest and most beautiful forms are located on the western slopes of the Andes Mountains. Dr. Croat has indicated there may be an equal number of unidentified species still unknown to science in those South American countries.

    Despite an increasing number of articles on the internet which appear to claim up to fifty Anthurium species are found naturally in Southeast Asia, scientifically none are endemic in that part of the world. That information can be verified in the published work of Dr. Croat. Aroid expert Julius Boos recently wrote, "Anthurium is a neotropical genus and does not occur naturally anywhere outside the neo-tropics!" It appears any Anthurium species found in Asia or Indonesian rain forests were introduced by plant collectors. There is currently a large number in the Asian population who are collecting species from this genus. It is highly likely some species may have been set free in the rain forests of that part of the world in hopes to propagate them more rapidly. But these species are not naturally found in that portion of the tropical world.

    Anthurium species are members of a larger group known as Araceae. There are in fact members of the larger group Araceae found in SE Asia, but these do not include Anthurium or Philodendron species. For further scientific reference, please read this work by Dr. Croat.

    http://www.aroid.org/genera/anthurium/abstrap1.htm

    This link will tell you more about Anthurium species:

    http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Grow or Growing Anthurium species.html
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2007

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