Anthurium besseae

Described by Croat from the cloud-influenced humid forests of Bolivia, Anthurium besseae is a compact epiphyte that grows on trees at montane elevation, producing a dense crown of velvety, dark green leaves with pale contrasting venation and a narrow to moderate sinus. Short petioles keep the whole plant tightly formed and it rarely grows large, which suits cabinet and terrarium cultivation better than most velvet anthuriums its price. Known from only limited Bolivian localities, it remains genuinely hard to source and commands serious attention from collectors already working through the more common velvet species.

Native range

Bolivia (humid montane and lower montane forest)

Classification

Genus

Anthurium

Family

Araceae

Type

Wild

Growth habit

Compact epiphyte, self-heading

Morphology

Leaf shape

CordateHeart-shaped foliage, featuring a rounded notch (sinus) where the leaf stem attaches. with narrow to moderate sinus

Leaf length

15-30 cm

Leaf width

10-22 cm

Petiole colour

Short, green to light brown

Venation

Contrasting pale venation on dark velvety blade

Texture

Velvety

Variegation

None

Growth habit

Dense compact crown, short internodes