Unnumbered / Prenumbering

Recently, anthuriums of the species A. carlablackiae have been appearing more and more on the European market, with the attractive additions "unnumbered" or "prenumbering". In the following article, we explain why caution is advised here.

These names are used in connection with plants by Rory Antolak, recognizable by the abbreviation "RA". He began offering A. carlablackiae on the market about five years ago - even before he introduced his numbering system, which allows for clear identification and differentiation of the individual plants.

Today, plants that were sold before the numbering system was introduced are referred to as "unnumbered" or "prenumbering". Used correctly, these terms should only apply to offshoots of wild individuals ("wild clones") that were taken from nature in small numbers and propagated by Rory Antolak.

It can be assumed that plants from its wild-collected seeds have also been marketed under these names. In such cases, "Seed grown RA carlablackiae" would be the more accurate and common name.

The additions "unnumbered" and "prenumbering" should therefore only be used in connection with RA plants. They have nothing to do with other breeders, nurseries, mass wild harvesting or sellers. Unfortunately, the ignorance of most people on this topic is often exploited and buyers are misled. Plants that are falsely labelled with these additions keep appearing on the market, even though they have nothing to do with the original topic.

This is often a misleading marketing strategy to sell wild plants from mass collections ("poaching plants"), to artificially increase prices or to create a supposed exclusivity.

What should you pay attention to?

If a plant is offered at a strikingly low price with the additions "unnumbered" or "prenumbering", but the "RA" abbreviation is missing, you should critically question whether it is an authentic plant or whether someone wants to profit from the work of others.

What happens if such a plant, purchased as "RA A. carlablackiae", is used as a breeding plant? The consequences could be far-reaching and lead to the dilution of the line of origin and the deception of other buyers.

Keep your eyes open when buying a carlablackiae.