Plant · GBIF taxon 2872695
painter's-palette
Anthurium andraeanumAlso known as Flamingo Lily, Flamingo Flower, Oilcloth Flower, Tailflower
Painter's-palette thrives as an evergreen epiphytic perennial native to the wet tropical rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. Renowned for its heart-shaped glossy foliage and waxy, brightly colored spathes that surround a tail-like spadix, it relies on specialized insects like euglossine bees for pollination in its native canopy. While cherished globally as a long-blooming houseplant, wild populations depend on rich leaf litter and high ambient atmospheric humidity.
TropicalFloweringHouseplant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
- Snails
- Slugs
- Mealybugs
ThreatsDeforestation and wild overcollection for the horticultural trade
HabitatsTropical rainforests, cloud forests, and indoor cultivated spaces
Life span10–20+ years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAlismatales
- FamilyAraceae
- GenusAnthurium
- SpeciesAnthurium andraeanum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals; toxic to pets and humans if chewed or ingested.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that trigger immediate oral burning, severe swelling, and drooling upon ingestion.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by its waxy, heart-shaped red or pink spathe centered around a pale spike-like spadix.
- What to do
- Place out of reach of pets and children, and wash hands thoroughly after trimming damaged leaves.
Responsible observation
- Light Needs: Provide bright, indirect sunlight to promote vibrant spathe production year-round.
- Pet Safety: Keep plants elevated out of reach of inquisitive cats and dogs.
- Humidity Care: Maintain ambient moisture above 60 percent to prevent leaf margins from turning brown.
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Daniel van der Post · cc0
Close Relative (c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Member (c) Paulo Roberto C M Jr., some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) Jacqui Geux, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacqui Geux · cc-by
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