The anthurium, recently described as Anthurium antolakii Vannini & Croat, previously known as Anthurium 'Black Velvet Eastern Panama' ('BVEP'), is a dark-leaved, terrestrially growing anthurium native to the Guna Yala Highlands in Panama that has been growing for several years Object of great popularity among collectors and breeders all over the world.
Named after the well-known breeder Rory Antolak, who has been supplying the anthurium scene with plants for many years, the holotype of this plant species was probably taken from the forests in eastern Panama in 2020 by Thomas Croat. An exact location is not yet known.
The species is characterized by dark brown, velvety leaves with distinctive veins that are unparalleled in terms of their characteristics.
With round petioles, it shares a feature with the Anthurium papillilaminum, among other things, and has therefore been increasingly used for hybrid breeding in recent years. Also similar to Anthurium papillilaminum, the phenotypic amplitude of this species is very pronounced and, even in wild clones, many individuals can be distinguished and named based on their character. From the almost round and slightly veined Anthurium antolakii 'Felix' to the Anthurium antolakii 'RA1' with elongated pointed leaves, many other forms of this species can be found.
The latter 'RA1' was taken from the wild by Rory Antolak long before the holotype of the species was taken in 2020 and transferred to breeding culture. Most of the Anthurium antolakii available today come from Rory Antolak's collection, with selfings of this species mainly found on the market, even if they are often not named as such.
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