Anthurium carlablackiae

(Section cardiolonchium)

Authored by: Roger Fahnert III

When you have an Anthurium that provides both beautiful, dark, velvety foliage, phenomenal veining, and a simply elegant inflorescence, you know it's going to be good. Anthurium carlablackiae, or ‘Carla’ for short, is highly sought after in cultivation for this reason. Carla can only be found in tropical wet forests in the southeast corner of Panama. Carlablackiae was described in 2020 by Dr. Thomas Croat and Orlando Ortiz, who named it after Carla Black, the plant’s discoverer and fellow horticulturist out of Panama.

Ease of care 5/10

Popularity 10/10
Emergent 8/10
Hardened Leaf 7/10
Hybrid Potential 8/10
Overall - 7.6/10

Anthurium carlablackiae has dark chevron to heart shaped foliage on red ribbed petioles. The veins are white to light pink and open to the leaf tip. The emergents are dark brown to black with red undertones. The stem and cataphyll are red in color. The inflorescence of carlablackiae is unmatched, a dark green spadix cupped by a white to off white spathe with thin pink pinstriping. The spadix of carlablackiae is green, turning yellow upon entering receptivity. The spathe will turn from white to green once successful pollination takes place. The berries are white with purple tops with one to two seeds each.

Notable clones include:

As a disclaimer it is important to note that the term “clone” is defined differently among individuals in the hobby. The definition of clone in this context is a genetically identical plant from which it was derived, such as a cutting or propogation. Within this section, the clones noted originate from wild collected specimens, this term is also known as a ‘wild clone’

“Amanda” - Juan Ahumada Jr. - Gay Plant Heaux

GPH-001 - Juan Ahumada Jr. - Gay Plant Heaux

RA#1 - Rory Antolak

RA#2 - Rory Antolak

RA#3 - Rory Antolak

RA#4 - Rory Antolak

RA#5 (Spider) Rory Antolak *no longer exists*

Texas Carla (left) & Carla 5 x 10 (right)

RA#6 - Rory Antolak

RA#7 - Rory Antolak

RA#8 - Rory Antolak

RA#9 - Rory Antolak

RA#10 - Rory Antolak

When hybridizing with carlablackiae, one can expect red cataphylls, Extremely dark emergents, and a beautiful spathe. Carlablackiae hybrids tend to benefit from hybrid vigor, making them much easier to grow than the pure species.

Cultivars with Anthurium carlablackiae include:

“La Madre Monte”(Regale x Carlablackiae) - Roger Fahnert III

Other hybrids include:

Carlablackiae x forgetii

Carlablackiae x crystallinum

(Crystallinum x magnificum) x carlablackiae - Roger Fahnert III

Carlablackiae x Red Crystallinum

Carlablackiae x sp. Napo (nigrolaminum ‘Gigi’)

Carlablackiae x regale - Roger Fahnert III

Carlablackiae x dressleri

Carlablackiae x papillilaminum

Carlablackiae x debile - Roger Fahnert III

Carlablackiae x luxurians

BVEP ‘Felix’ x carlablackiae ‘Amanda’ - Justin Jones and Juan Ahumada Jr

Carlablackiae x kunayalense

(Forgetii x carlablackiae ‘Amanda’) x BVEP ‘Felix’ - Justin Jones

Carlablackiae x sp. Nov. DF

Carlablackiae differs from “EVILutions Anthurium Care Guide” in that it is very fussy when it comes to inconsistent watering. They are extremely susceptible to root rot, so it is important to let it dry out in between waterings. They are also sensitive to heat, keeping them below 85f is best. You may notice new leaves wilting during the heat of the day, so trying to find cooler locations with a bit more air flow in your grow area will help you along.

Growers that provide ethically produced Anthurium carlablackiae:

Paul Marcellini - www.understoryoasis.com

Juan Ahumada Jr. - Gayplantheaux on Instagram

Scott Cohen - “Time to Splurge and Purge” on Facebook

Samuel Alfieri - www.hoyahole.com

Enid Offolter - www.nsetropicals.com

Anthurium Carlablackiae