1289

 Anthurium andraeanum Linden ex André

Synonym	:	Anthurium venustum Sodiro
Family	:	Araceae
Local name	:	English- Painter's palette Malayalam-  Anthurium
Distribution	:	Native to Colombia and Ecuador
Distribution in Kerala	:	Ornamental plant
Habitat	:	Warm, shady and humid climates, such as tropical rainforests.
Endemic/Exotic	:	Exotic
Uses		Used as an ornamental plant. Listed in the NASA Clean Air Study as effective in removing formaldehyde, xylene, toluene, and ammonia from the air.
Key botanical characters:  Short erected plant with whole, cardioid or heart-shaped leaves, generally reflexed, cordate base, apex acuminate or cuspid, which are borne by a cylindrical petiole 30–40 cm long. The spathe is cartilage-waxy, brightly coloured (red, pink) and 8–15 cm long, excluding the inflorescence (the spadix), which is 7–9 cm long, similar to a candle-holder, white or yellow in colour, is erected, and bears many small hermaphroditic flowers. These include a perianth with four segments and stamens with a compressed mesh. Flowering extends throughout the year. The fruit is a fleshy berry.