Hawaii Anthuriums are Dear to Every Heart

Anthuriums -- the "heart of Hawaii" -- have become one of the signature flowers of the islands. The original anthurium was brought to Hawaii from Colombia via London in 1889 by an English missionary. Having known comfort in the shade of Latin American rain forests, anthuriums now thrive in Hawaii's tropical climate.

Today, 75 active growers form the Hawaii Anthurium Industry Association (HAIA), a member association of the Hawaii Tropical Flower Council (HTFC). These growers commercially produce more than 11 million stems of about 40 anthurium varieties annually, driving a $6.8 million industry on the Big Island of Hawaii.

"We are constantly working to develop new varieties that will excite consumers," says HAIA president Calvin Hayashi.

Meaning "tail flower" in Greek, the anthurium is part of the arum family (Araceae) which includes taro, philodendron, monstera, calla lily and jack-in-the-pulpit. All share a similarly shaped flower: a colorful, shiny, heart-shaped "petal" (spathe) surrounding a straight or slightly curved, knobby "tail" (spadix). Stem lengths vary from 15" to 20" and correspond to the size of the spathe -- the bigger the spathe, the longer the stem.

Spathe types form three broad categories -- standard, obake and tulip:

Standard is by far the most common shape. The lobes of its heart-shaped spathe often overlap. Major spathe colors are red, orange, pink, coral, white and, more recently, green. Spathe sizes range from 5" x 41/2" (length x width) to 81/2" x 71/4."

 

Obake (o-BAH-kay) means "ghost" in Japanese, alluding to this group's nebulous, two-tone coloration and incomparable individual variation. They usually exhibit a bicolor pattern of green and a major spathe color. Some varieties lose their green in the summer, creating a solid-colored spathe. Spathe size varies greatly, from 3" x 21/2" mini to 11" x 9" exhibition varieties.

 

Tulip types (or "tulips") have upright, cupped spathes and some tend to reflex when mature. The spadix is also straight and erect. In general, tulips are small hybrids with more than one species in their back-ground -- some popular ones have four species in their parentage. The average spathe size is 51/2" x 21/2."

For color, longevity and intrigue all year round, anthuriums are one of Hawaii's best floral values. Here are a few ways to extend their already long vase life:

Upon receipt, hold the stems under water and trim 1/2" from the end. If it shows signs of transit stress, submerge the entire flower in room temperature water for 10 to 15 minutes to maximize rehydration.

Use the standard amount of preservative in the vase water. Store flowers at an air temperature above 55 degrees F and away from direct light, heat or drafts. Do not refrigerate.

Mist flowers daily.

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