Scandent epiphyte; stems elongate with internodes 1.5-7.5 cm long; roots moderately thin, usually 2-4 at each node; cataphylls 4-6 cm long, thin, acute at apex, drying tan, persisting intact at nodes.

LEAVES spreading; petioles 1-3 cm long, 2-3 mm diam., terete, sheath extending l.5-2 cm onto petiole, minutely free at apex; geniculum absent; blades oblong or lanceolate, moderately thin, 9-15 cm long, 2.5-4 cm wide, broadest at middle or just below, acuminate at apex, obtuse to rounded at base; the upper surface semiglossy to glossy, lower surface semi- glossy; midrib acutely raised above and below, sunken at apex above; primary lateral veins numerous, nearly obscure above and below; collective vein arising from the base, obscure above and below.

INFLORESCENCE spreading, shorter than leaves; peduncle 2.5-4 cm long; spathe green, ovate, 1.5-2 cm long, 2-9 mm wide; spadix green (B & K Yellow-green 6/2.5), ca. 3 cm long, scarcely tapered at apex; flowers 4-lobed, the sides sigmoid; 4-5 flowers visible in the principal spiral, 3-4 flowers visible in the alternate spiral; tepals semiglossy, punctate, the inner margin convex; pistils green, emergent, ± mounded; stigma elliptic, brushlike.

INFRUCTESCENCE pendent; spathe absent; spadix to 3.5 cm long; berries subglobose flat at apex. greenish-white immature, mature berry color unknown, probably 5 mm diam. at maturity. Fig. 195.

Anthurium tenerum is known from Costa Rica and Colombia (probably in Panama as well) at elevations of 800 to 2,000 m. In Costa Rica the species is known from lower montane rain forest at 1,300 m. It is apparently also rare in Colombia since few collections have been made. The species is in section Xialophyllium and is most easily confused with A. scandens because of its similar habit, size, and leaf shape. Anthurium tenerum can be distinguished by its lack of leaf punctations and by its long slender peduncle which is, at least initially, borne in the conspicuous petiole sheath.

Map of Mesoamerican specimens with coordinates

Costa Rica Alajuela: 850 m, 10.19N 84.44W, 21 July 1989, Erick Bello 1040 (MO).
Costa Rica. Cartaco: vicinity of Cachi, Croat 47089 (MO); vicinity Río Naranjo, Lent 1583 (NY). Hereoia: Vara Blanca, Sukkoth 3658 (MICH).

Map of South American Specimens with coordinates

Colombia Antioquia: Las Orquideas, 1450-1500 m, 06.32N 76.19W, 30 November 1993, J. Pipoly, W. Rodríguez & O. Alvarez 17443 (JAUM, MO). Colombia Antioquia: Las Orquideas, 1700-1750 m, 06.32N 76.19W, 02 December 1993, J. Pipoly et al. 17559 (JAUM, MO).