Anthurium Dark Phoenix

The Anthurium 'Dark Phoenix' is originally a clone and there are a lot of uncertainties surrounding it.

It is characterized morphologically by a great similarity to some forms of Anthurium papillilaminum. Prominent features are the dark green, velvety leaves, the subtle veins and the rather rounded shape with large lobes.

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The naming Anthurium 'Dark Phoenix' appears to have been common in Indonesia since at least 2020, from where the first relevant marketing appears to have taken place. The plant was previously marketed as Anthurium 'Papillilaminum x Dressleri' or Anthurium 'TC 782' .

However, upon closer inspection, the previous names appear to be incorrect, as there is no phenotypically valid evidence of a genetic involvement of Anthurium dressleri. Even branch generations from self-pollinated specimens provide no evidence of this, for example in the form of star-shaped petioles.

Anthurium 'TC 782' is the name for Tom Croat's hybrid of Anthurium papillilaminum and Anthurium dressleri, which was created in the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1986.

Rather, Anthurium 'Dark Phoenix' shows great similarities to forms of Anthurium papillilaminum that have recently appeared on the market, so it can be assumed that it is also a pure form of this species. The criteria of the botanical description appear to at least be met for this.

In practical use, the use of the name Anthurium 'Dark Phoenix' is now more like a cultivar name for plants that meet the above criteria, due to conscious or unconscious overuse by sellers and collectors.