Epiphytic or terrestrial; to 40 cm tall; stem short, to 3 cm diam.; roots green, pubescent at base, to 8 mm diam., ascending at upper nodes; cataphylls subcoriaceous, to 6 cm long, drying brown, remaining ± intact and persisting between leaves.

LEAVES rosulate, erect; petioles 5-10 cm long, 5-11 mm diam., subterete or obscurely quadrangular, broadly sulcate; geniculum 0.5-1 cm long, sometimes tinged purplish; blades oblanceolate-elliptic, subcoriaceous, gradually acuminate at apex, obtuse to narrowly rounded at base, 26-83 cm long, 9-25 cm wide; the upper surface semiglossy; the midrib bluntly raised above and below; primary lateral veins 6-7 per side, raised above and below; lesser veins less conspicuous.

INFLORESCENCE erect; peduncle 8-16 cm long, 5-6 mm diam., terete, green suffused with violet; spathe subcoriaceous, sub-ovate, olive green, tinged with violet-purple at margins, 2.5-16 cm long, 0.6-5 cm wide; spadix weakly ellipsoidal, 5.5-10 cm long, 0.8-1 cm diam. midway, white or lavender (B & K. Purple 6/7.5); flowers rhombic or weakly 4-lobed, 2.1-2.5 mm long, 2.4-2.6 mm wide, the sides weakly sigmoid; 9-12 flowers visible in the principal spiral, 14-16 flowers visible in the alternate spiral; tepals matte, lateral tepals 1.2-1.4 mm wide; pistil weakly raised, greenish; stigma linear to 0.4 mm long; stamens emerging in scattered pattern throughout, the lateral stamens emerging almost to the apex before third or alternates emerge, held just above tepals against pistil, obscuring pistil when all stamens develop; anthers white tinged red-violet; thecae oblong; pollen white.

INFRUCTESCENCE spreading; berries red, oblong-elliptic, 9-12 mm long, 4.5-6 mm wide; seeds 1 or 2, 5-5.5 mm long, 3 mm wide. Figs. 61 and 62.

Anthurium cubense is found in Cuba, Yucatan, and drier parts of eastern Guatemala on the Atlantic slope; also Nicaragua to Panama along the Pacific slope. The species is also known from northern Colombia and Venezuela. It is known from tropical dry forest and drier parts of tropical moist forest at low elevations. The species is apparently rare except in Nicaragua where it is locally common. Anthurium cubense is placed in section Pachyneurium and is recognized by its short petioles, short inflorescences (much shorter than the leaves; the peduncle as short as or only slightly longer than the spadix), its cylindroid, pale violet-purple spadix usually weakly tapered toward both ends, and its bright red berries. Engler (1905) also recognized material of this species under the name A. recussatum Schott from Cuba. That name, however, has been misapplied and actually refers to A. hookeri Kunth from the lesser Antilles and northeastern South America. Anthurium hookeri is not related to A. cubense, although it has a similar rosulale habit. It differs chiefly in having punctate leaves with unusual scaliform secondary veins and by having supervolute vernation.

Map of Mesoamerican specimens with coordinates

Costa Rica Guanacaste: 600 m, 10.57.36N 85.29.36W, 3 July 1989, II INBio 121 (MO).
Costa Rica Guanacaste: Río Sapoa, 0 m, 10.3.5N 85.34.5W, 18 May 1989, Herrera et al. 2897 (MO).
Costa Rica Guanacaste: 0 m, 9.52.10N 85.28.15W, 26 December 1988, Luis Flores & Cecilia Herrera 13 (MO, CR).
Costa Rica Guanacaste: 0 m, 9.52.10N 85.28.15W, 26 December 1988, Luis Flores & Cecilia Herrera 13 (MO).
Costa Rica Guanacaste: 0-300 m, 11.11N 85.37W, , Liesner 4652 (MO).
Costa Rica Guanacaste: Península de Nicoya, 15 m, 09.51.23N 85.21.02W, 13 August 1994, Armando Estrada & A. Rodríguez 171 (CR).
Costa Rica Puntarenas: Monteverde, 700 m, 10.16N 84.49W, 21 Dec 1989, Haber & Zuchowski 9661 (MO).
Costa Rica Puntarenas:, , Burger & Liesner 6627 (F, MO).
Costa Rica Puntarenas: 20-40 m, 09.48N 84.35-36W, 28 August 1996, M. H. Grayum, Q. Jiménez, B. Hammel & E. Lépiz 11111 (CR, INB, MO).
Costa Rica San José: Z.P. La Cangreja; Cerros de Puriscal, 300 m, 09.41.45N 84.23.47W, 21 Oct 1992, J.F. Morales & Q. Jiménez 904 (CR).
Guatemala Alta Verapaz:, , von Tuerckheim 8606 (US).
Nicaragua Boaco: 400-600 m,, 26 Dic 1984, Alfredo Grijalva & D. Soza 4197 (MO, SAR).
Nicaragua Chontales: Río Oyate, 50 m, 11.44N 84.59W, 27 Jun 1982, Warren Douglas Stevens 21631 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales: 50 m, 11.47N 85.01W, 7 June 1981, James E. Henrich & W.D. Stevens 161 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales:, , Nichols 1725 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales:, , Vincelli 86 (MO). Nicaragua Chontales:, , Vincelli 87 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales: 400-500 m., 12.17N 85.23W, 21 Jan. 1978, Pipoly 1571 (CAS).
Nicaragua Chontales: 530 m, 12.12N 85.10W, , Stevens & Montiel 17513 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales: 150-170 m, 12.00N 85.12W, , Stevens & Henrich 20524 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales: 260-280 m, 12.07N 85.07W, 06 Apr. 1982, Moreno, P. 16047 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales:, , Nichols 1723 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales: 350-400 m, 12.12N 85.17W, 23-25 September 1977, W.D. Stevens 4030 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales: 340-380 m, 12.04N 85.06W, , Moreno 16208 (MO)
. Nicaragua Chontales: 400-500 m, 12.17N 85.23W, 4 September 1977, W.D. Stevens 3662 (MO).
Nicaragua Chontales: 400-500 m, 12.17N 85.23W, 21 January 1978, W.D. Stevens 6107 (MO).
Nicaragua Esteli: 660-800 m, 13.15N 86.21W, 1 agosto 1983, Pedro P. Moreno 21822 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: Isla Zapatera, 400-525 m, 11.40.40N 85.45.45W, 24 Noviembre 1982, A. Grijalva 1936 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada:, , Neill 2730 (B, K, M, MBM, MO, PMA, US).
Nicaragua Granada: Volcán Mombacho,, , Atwood & Neill AN82 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: 700-800 m, 11.49N 85.58W, 10 Mar. 1982, Sandino, J. C. 2508 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: 340-360 m, 11.51N 85.57W, 11 May 1981, Moreno, P. and Henrich, J. 8447 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: Volcán Mombacho, 340-360 m, 11.51N 85.57W, , Moreno & Henrich 8447 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: Volcán Mombacho, 300-400 m, 11.59N 85.55W, , Guzmán & Castro 2152 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: Volcán Mombacho, 400-500 m, 11.50N 85.56W, , Moreno 16478 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: Isletas de Granada, 35 m,, 11 August 1982, Martínez & Riviere 1543 (MO, MEX).
Nicaragua Granada: 40 m,, , Levy 88 (P).
Nicaragua Granada: Volcán Mombacho, 400-500 m, 11.51N 85.56W, 24 mayo 1980, P.P. Moreno 442 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: Volcán Mombacho, 350-400 m, 11.50N 86.57W, 28 julio 1980, P.P. Moreno 1471 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: Volcán Mombacho, 400-450 m, 11.50N 86.56W, 28 julio 1980, P.P. Moreno 1516 (MO).
Nicaragua Granada: Volcán Mombacho, 300-400 m, 11.49N 85.55W, 11 Junio 1982, P.P. Moreno 16442 (MO).
Nicaragua Managua:, , Maxon et al. 7538 (US).
Nicaragua Managua: Managua,, 01 Aug. 1979, Araquistain, M. 398 (L, MO).
Nicaragua Managua: Managua, 49-49 m,, 14 Aug. 1979, Araquistain, M. 40 (MO).
Nicaragua Managua: 120 m,, 14 Aug 1979, Araquistain 40 (L, MO).
Nicaragua Masaya: 140-200 m, 11.57N 86.07-08W, 6 October 1977, W.D. Stevens 4444 (B, MO).
Nicaragua Río San Juan:, , Atwood 2028 (MO). Nicaragua Río San Juan: 30-35 m, 11.08N 84.47W, 17 Dec 1981, Sandino, J.C. 1773 (MO).
Nicaragua Río San Juan: 400 - 609 m, 11.01N 084.12W, 6 Enero 1997, Ricardo Rueda, Indiana Coronado, Oscar Aráuz & Franklin Flores 5463 .
Nicaragua Rivas: Isla de Ometepe, 600-900 m, 11.27N 85.29W, 18 enero 1983, Pedro P. Moreno 19580 (MO).
Nicaragua Rivas: Isla de Ometepe, 300-1000 m, 11.33N 85.37W, 21 enero 1983, Pedro P. Moreno 19827 (MO).
Nicaragua Rivas: Isla de Ometepe, 600-900 m, 11.27N 85.29W, 18 enero 1983, Pedro P. Moreno 19600B (MO).
Nicaragua Rivas: Isla de Ometepe, 500-700 m, 11.26N 85.32W, 24 abril 1984, Walter Robleto 293 (MO).
Nicaragua Rivas: Isla de Ometepe, 200-500 m, 11.32N 85.35W, 8 febrero 1984, Walter Robleto 133 (MO).
Nicaragua Rivas: Isla de Omotepe, 140-160 m, 11.33N 85.35W, 1 marzo 1983, Juan C. Sandino 4240 (MO).
Nicaragua Rivas: 30-40 m, 12.29N 85.32W, 25 February 1978, W.D. Stevens 6626 (MO).
Nicaragua Zelaya:, , Stevans 6894 (MO).
Nicaragua Zelaya: 750-850 m, 13.45N 85.00W 13.45N 85.01W, 10-11 March 1978, W.D. Stevens 6894 (MO).
Panama Chiriquí: Río Esti, 700 m,, , Thomas B. Croat 48793 (FTG, MO).
Panama Chiriquí: 8.14N 81.50W, , Nee 10104 (MO, PMA).
Panama Chiriquí: 25 m, 8.10N 81.53W, 04 May 1985, B. Hammel 13762 (MO).

Map of South American Specimens with coordinates

Colombia : Island of Providencia,, 19-25 Jul 1966, Torres & Romero 295 (COL).
Colombia Atlantico:, , Elias 1295 (F, US). C
olombia Atlantico:, , Elias 1404 (F). Colombia Bolívar:, , Killip & Smith 14656 (GH, NY, US).
Colombia Bolívar: 230-250 m, 09.58N 75.10W, 13 January 1988, A. Gentry, Hermes Cuadros & P. Keating 60679 (MO).
Colombia La Guajira: 500 m, 10.9.1N 72.59.4W, 31 Aug. 1990, Marulanda & Betancur 2143 (MO).
Colombia Magdalena: 350-400 m,, Oct 1979-June 1980, Moreno 415 (COL).
Colombia Magdalena:, , Seifriz 263 (US).
Colombia Magdalena:, , Smith 2763 (GH, K, NY).
Colombia San Andres & Providencia: Isla de Providencia,, , Torres-Romero 295 (COL).
Colombia Sucre: 300 m, 9.30N 75.22W, 26 Oct. 1989, Cuadros & Gentry 4615 (MO).
Guyana Guyana: Glasgow Bot. Gard.,, , Hooker S.N. (Cult) (K).
Venezuela Falcon: Dtto. Silva, 10-100 m, 10.54N 68.16W, 30 Aug. 1974, Steyermark & Manara 110434 (MO).
Venezuela Zulia: 280 m, 10.52N 72.29W, 8 May 1983, Al Gentry 41141 (MO).
Venezuela Zulia: Cerro Los Marmantiales, 11.1N 72.30W, , Steyermark 123258 (K, MO).
Venezuela Zulia: Serrania de Perijá, 250 m, 10.52N 72.29W, 11 May 1983, Luteyn 9251 (NY).
Venezuela Zulia: Río Catatumbo, 20-100 m, 9.06N 72.42W, , Liesner & Gonzalez 13274 (MO, US).
Venezuela Zulia: Sierrania de Perija,, , Chitty & Benkowski 3061 (VEN).
Venezuela Zulia: Dtto. Perija, Quebrada Cosira,, , Davidse et al. 18531 (MO, VEN).
Venezuela Zulia: Dtto. Col—n,, , Lescarboura 55 (MY?).
Venezuela Zulia: Dtto. Mara,, , Medina 902 (MY?).
Venezuela Zulia: Sierrania de Perija,, , Steyermark & Fernandez 99638 (K, MY, NY, US).
Venezuela Zulia: Quebrada Perayra,, , Steyermark 99847 (MY).
Venezuela Zulia: Dtto. Mara,, , Steyermark et al. 122640 (VEN).
Venezuela Zulia: Dtto. Mara, Cerro Negro,, , Steyermark et al. 122687 (MO, VEN).
Venezuela Zulia: Dtto. Mara, Cerro Negro,, , Steyermark et al. 122690 (MO, VEN).
Venezuela Zulia: Dtto. Mara, Río Socuy,, , Steyermark et al. 123115 (VEN).
Venezuela Zulia: Dtto. Perija, 225-350 m,, 27 Apr 1980, Bunting et al. 8800 (MO,NY).

Caribbean Specimens
Caribbean Cuba:, , Van Hermann 988 (GH).
Caribbean Cuba: Río Mestanza,, , Britton et al. 10152 (US, NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Curtiss 647 (BM, F, G, GH, K, MO, NY, P).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Hioram 3937 (US).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Hitchcock s.n. (F).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Palmer & Riley 317 (US).
Caribbean Cuba: Prov. Oriente,, 21-24 Feb. 1902, Pollard & Palmer 389 (GH, MO, NY, US, F).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Van Hermann 822 (F, NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Wilson 11492 (NY, US).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Wright 601 (G, GH, K).
Caribbean Cuba:, , de la Sagra s.n. (P).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Wright 3208 (BM, G, GH, K).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Britton et al. 9608 (NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Britton et al. 6854 (NY).
Caribbean Cuba: 400 m,, , Eggers 5402 (B, K).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Leon 4233 (NY, P).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Shafer 13851 (A, NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Abarca & O'Donovan 4688 (GH, NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Baker 316 (NY, US).
Caribbean Cuba: Prov. Matanzas,, , Britton & Shafer 377 (NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Meisner s.n. (NY).
Caribbean Cuba: Prov. Las Villas,, , Britton et al. 4838 (NY).
Caribbean Cuba: Santa Clara,, , Rowe 8643 (GH).
Caribbean Cuba: Prov. Las Villas,, , Rowe 8644 (NY). C
aribbean Cuba:, , Britton 2324 (NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Ekman 6202 (NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Shafer 1573 (NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Shafer 8936 (GH, K, NY).
Caribbean Cuba: Río Guama, 300 m,, , Taylor 195 (NY).
Caribbean Cuba:, , Sagra s.n. (P).
Caribbean Cuba: Oriente,, 6 Apr. 1952, Figueiras , M. Lopez 363 (MO).