''Anthurium regale'' is a species of '' Anthurium (''section Cardiolonchium), a genus of flowering aroid plant in the family Araceae. It was first described by Europeans in the 1866 edition of La Belgique Horticole, where it was noted to be first collected for the houseplant trade by

Gustav Wallis Gustav Wallis (1 May 1830 – 20 June 1878) was a German plant collector who introduced over 1,000 plant species to Europe, many of which were named after him. He was particularly focused on orchid hunting during the Victorian orchid craze, but ...

during his time working for Jean Jules Linden. This impressive and sought-after ''Anthurium'' species is native to

Perú , image_flag = Flag of Peru.svg , image_coat = Escudo nacional del Perú.svg , other_symbol = Great Seal of the State , other_symbol_type = National seal , national_motto = "Firm and Happy fo ...

, where it may be found near the Huallaga River valley, to the north of

Tingo María Tingo María is the capital of Leoncio Prado Province in the Huánuco Region in central Peru. It has a population of 46,191 inhabitants ( 2017 census). Tingo María was considered unreachable until 1936, when the Montaña Road reached the settle ...

and

Juanjuí Juanjuí is a town in Northern Peru, capital of the province Mariscal Cáceres Province, Mariscal Cáceres in the San Martín Region and located in the left edge of Huallaga River.Juanjuí PeruBienvenido a Juanjuí - Perú, Retrieved February 18, ...

, in the regions of Huánuco and San Martín, respectively (with a number of specimens being described from the latter location). This species is found in forested areas, where it grows on trees

epiphytically An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

, ranging from sea-level environments to

cloud forests A cloud forest, also called a water forest, primas forest, or tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF), is a generally tropical or subtropical, evergreen, montane, moist forest characterized by a persistent, frequent or seasonal low-level cloud ...

, up to about 243 meters (800 feet) in elevation. ''A. regale'' is often found in areas where the ambient humidity is consistently high, and where temperatures remain steadily between 15 °C (59°F) and 26.6 °C (80°F). ''Anthurium regale'' is best known for its large,

cordate Cordate is an adjective meaning 'heart-shaped' and is most typically used for: * Cordate (leaf shape), in plants * Cordate axe, a prehistoric stone tool See also * Chordate A chordate () is an animal of the phylum Chordata (). All chordat ...

leaves, which have a slight velvety texture and often display prominent white veining. Generally, mature leaves feature two to three distinct sizes of veins: one prominent, vertical white vein in the center, dividing the leaf in half; several smaller, lateral veins as offshoots; and several even smaller veins as further offshoots of those. Each lateral vein connects in a large "circle" around the leaf's edge, eventually all meeting at the leaf tip, where they connect with the dominant central vein.

References

regale ''Jura regalia'' is a medieval legal term which denoted rights that belonged exclusively to the king, either as essential to his sovereignty (''jura majora'', ''jura essentialia''), such as royal authority; or accidental (''jura minora'', ''jura a ...

Flora of Peru Plants described in 1866 {{Anthurium-stub