THE Anthurium Lily is a large genus of about 600- 800 (possibly 1,000) species belonging to the arum family (Araceae).
It is one of the largest, probably the most complex and most variable of the arum family(araceae);  it is also  called the ‘Flamingo Flower’ or ‘Boy Flower’, both in reference to the structure of the flower itself. The Anthurium has been described as a houseplant, with its dramatic green foliage and heart-shaped  flower with  a spike having  flowers borne on a fleshy stem.
The species is found  mostly in  the wet tropical mountain forests of Central and South America, mainly in Panama, Colombia, Brazil, the Guiana Shield (of which Guyana is a part) and Ecuador.
According to noted aroid botanist, Dr. Tom Croat of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the genus is not native to Asia.
In keeping with the variability of the arum/anthurium  genus, many new species  are being found every year.
The stems of the flower, with colours of white, red, pink, green, peach, orange and several mixtures, vary between 15 and 30 cm in length.
The leaves come in many shapes, with most of them being found at the end of the stems.
Leaves may be erect or spreading in a rosette, with a length that may surpass 100 cm in some of the larger species (such as Anthurium angamarcanum).
The leaves possess a structure called the geniculum, which is unique to the genus, Anthurium.
The geniculum allows the plant to swivel its leaves towards the sun, much in the same manner as sunflowers.
In drier environments, the leaves can form a bird-nest-shaped rosette that enables the plant to collect falling debris, and thus water and natural fertilizer.
Anthurium s grows in many forms, mostly evergreen, terrestrial, bushy or climbing, or growing parasitically upon another plant (such as a tree), or sometimes upon some other object (such as a building or telegraph wire).
The climbing species derive moisture and nutrients from the air and rain, and sometimes from debris accumulating around, and have roots that can hang from the canopy all the way to the floor of the rainforest.
There are many terrestrial  or land-based forms, some of which can be found growing on rocks in midstream.
Land growers have heart-shaped flowers, with the stem attached to the cleft, hence the name, ‘Boy Flower’.
And there are others which have  many-lobed leaves.
Many species of the Anthurium can be grown as houseplants, or outdoors in mild climates in shady spots.
They thrive in moist soils with high organic matter.
Plants in pots with good root systems will benefit from a weak fertilizer solution every other week.
In the case of vining or climbing Anthuriums, the plants benefit from being provided with a pole on which to climb.
Local florist, Ms. Milisa Saywack says the  Anthurium Lily can be obtained from  her store for prices ranging from $1500 per plant for the smaller species, to as much as $8,500 per plant for the larger species.
She grows some Anthuriums, and imports others, mainly the larger species, for the high-end buyers.
She currently has in stock peach orange and peach green Anthuriums at her business place, located aback the Key and Lock Shop on the western half of Camp Street, between Church and Quamina. She can be reached by telephone @: 226-2882 , or 647- 4809.
Call and give your environment a treat.