Anthurium hypoleucum Standl., J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 17: 246. 1927.
Anthurium brevipeliolatum Engl. ex K. Krause, Notizbl. Bot. Garl. Berlin-Dahlem 11:610. 1932. TYPE: Guatemala. Baja Verapaz:Santa Rosa, 1,600 m, Tuerckheim 11.2214 (US-932125, holotype; B, isotype).

Epipetric; stem short; roots thick, tan, sometimes directed upward; cataphylls ca. 7 cm long, drying brown, persistent, weathering to coarse linear fibers.

LEAVES spreading; petioles 16-50 cm long, 6-9 mm diam., broadly and sharply sulcate, weakly glaucous; gcniculum 1.3-1.5 cm long; blades oblong to lanceolate, subcoriaceous, acute at apex, truncate at base, 27-64 cm long, 6.5-12 cm wide; both surfaces matte and glaucous, the lower surface only slightly paler; midrib convexly raised above, diminished and sunken at apex, more acutely raised below; basal veins one pair, sunken above, raised below; primary lateral veins 6-10 per side, departing midrib at 40° angle, sunken above, raised below; interpri-mary veins weakly sunken above, flat below; lesser veins obscure; collective vein arising from the basal vein, 8-10 mm from margin, sunken above, raised below.

INFLORESCENCE spreading, shorter to as long as leaves; peduncle 31-52 cm long, subterete, 1-2 faint ribs; spathe subcoriaceous, green (B & K Green 5/7.5), lanceolate, 3.5-7 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, long-acuminate at apex, clasping at base, inserted at 180° angle on peduncle; spadix sessile, green (B & K
Yellow-green 7/7.5) becoming pale yellow, 3.5-9 cm long, 7-10 mm diam. at base, 3-5 mm diam. at apex; flowers 4-lobed, ca. 2.3 mm in both directions, the sides jaggedly sigmoid; 5-7 flowers visible in the principal spiral, 7-9 flowers visible in the alternate spiral; lepals matte, lateral tepals ca. 1 mm wide, the inner margin convex; pistils green, weakly emergent; stigma slit-like; stamens emerging from the base, laterals emerging first, followed quickly by alternates, the leading stamen preceding fourth stamen by 1-3 spirals.

INFRUCTESCENCE pendent, mature berries not seen. Fig. 131.

Anthurium parvispathum is endemic to Guatemala and is known principally from Baja Verapaz at 1,500 to 1,800 m elevation, but it is also known from single collections from the Sierra de la Minas in Zacapa Department and at Mazatenango in the Dept. of Suchitepequez on the Pacific Coast. The species occurs principally in open or exposed areas on rocks in areas of dry forest.
The species is a member of section Belolonchium and is characterized by having a sessile spadix and oblong-lanceolate leaves that are at least initially glaucous (often drying whitish) on the lower surface and by having the primary lateral veins equally as prominent as the basal vein. The species is also characterized by occurring on rocks.
Anthurium parvispathum is similar to A. nakamurae from southeast Chiapas but differs in having thicker leaves, which are generally much paler and weakly glaucous on the lower surface. In addition, it is always found growing on rocks rather than as an epiphyte. The spadix of A. parvispathum is always sessile whereas that of A. nakamurae is stipitatc at least to some extent.
Anthurium parvispathum has also been confused with A. retiferum, which has a similar leaf shape and venation, but that species has much broader leaves that have conspicuously elevated tertiary veins on drying and is not glaucous or pale on the lower surface. It has also been confused with some leaf forms of A. subcordatum, but that species differs in having the basal veins much more conspicuous than the primary lateral veins.

Map of Mesoamerican specimens with coordinates

Guatemala Alta Verapaz: 2150 m,, 20 Mar 1989, Forther s.n. (M).
Guatemala Baja Verapaz: Mun. San Jeronimo, 1030 m,, 24 July 1988, Tenorio et al. 14804 (MO).
Guatemala Baja Verapaz: 1600 m,, , Tuerckheim 2214 (B).
Honduras Comayagua: Cordillera de Montecillos, 1900-2000 m, 14.29N 87.53W, 10 May 1991, Davidse 34284 (MO).
Honduras Lempira: Montaña de Celaque, 1800-1900 m, 14.33N 88.39W, 24 May 1991, Davidse & Zuniga 34658 (MO).
Honduras Lempira: Montaña de Celaque, 2300-2400 m, 14.33N 88.40W, 25 May 1991, Davidse & Zuniga 34743 (MO).
Honduras Lempira: Montaña de Celaque, 1290-1400 m, 14.33N 88.39W, 23 May 1991, Davidse & Zuniga 34557 (K, MO).
Honduras Lempira: Celaque National Park, 2400 m, 14.33N 88.41W, 18 Nov 1991, Robbin C. Moran 5641 (MO).
Honduras Lempira: 1400-1500 m, 14.33N 88.38W, 10 May 1992, W.G. D'Arcy 17858 (MO).
Honduras Ocotepeque: 1800 m, 14.28N 89.15W, 28 Jan. 1987, Thomas B. Croat & Dylan P. Hannon 63813 (MO).
Mexico Chiapas: Mpo. Ocozocoautla, 1080 m,, 25 Apr. 1988, Breedlove 66993 (CAS).
Mexico Chiapas: 600 m,, 26 Sept. 1988, Breedlove 70157 (CAS).
Mexico Chiapas: Mpo. Berriozábal, 830 m,, 23 Aug. 1981, Breedlove 52375 (CAS).