Anthurium andraeanum

Life and mathematics. An almost perfect example of circular helix! Notice that it is a right-hand helix.

Anthurium andraeanum is one of approximately 1000 species in the large genus Anthurium. In the wild, it grows as a veiny epiphyte with bright orange-red spathe in wet tropical rainforest. In cultivation, this species has been popularly hybridized for so many years, resulting in such varied sizes, colors and shapes. It can reach 1 metre in height and width. It is an upright plant that produces dark green leaves that are oblong and heart-shaped, up to 30cm or more in length. Each leaf is held on a 30-60cm-long petiole. As the plant grows taller and yellowed leaves are removed, its stem become spindly and produces aerial roots for support. A. andraeanum is well-known for its spectacular show of vibrantly colored spathes,mostly heart-shaped. Each spathe bears a protruding fleshy and tail-like spadix that carry the insignificant cluster of true sessile flowers. Once pollinated, the spadix will produce berries which will contain the seeds that can be used for propagation. Here the spadix is not pollinated. See in http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/9256058 an example of pollinated spadix