Sometimes confused with A. clarinervium, Anthurium crystallinum grows primarily as a terrestrial form.  However, it also grows as an epiphyte (ep-a-FIT) (a plant that grows on another plant) on the branches of trees.  According to Dr. Tom Croat's journal A Revision of the Genus Anthurium (Araceae) of Mexico and Central America Part II: Panama, Anthurium crystallinum is noted as having been originally collected in Colombia in the late 1800's.  However, no type specimen exactly matching the original description has ever been seen or located in Colombia since that time.  In light of the fact, the plant is commonly accepted as being primarily found in Colombia, that may be a confusing statement.   What the Missouri Botanical Garden's Dr. Croat was indicating is no collections have been seen that correspond well with the original illustration by Linden and André done in 1873.  Those botanists made a painting of the type specimen (see the original, left) that showed a closed sinus divided all the way to the petiole.  Specimens of  Anthurium crystallinum matching that description have not been found to date. 

Despite the fact an A. crystallinum with a closed sinus is apparently uncommon in cultivation today, it does sometimes exist.  We recently had one of our ownspecimens begin to produce leaves with the closed sinus almost identical to the original painting by Linden and André.  When I sent the photo right to Dr. Croat he made the following comment, "It looks to me that the image I saw on your website is a good match for the type!"  We have since learned of two other collectors that possess the same closed sinus specimen.

Some collectors may be tempted to believe they know the plant that was actually painted as the type specimen,  Anthurium forgetii N.E. Br. which is also from Colombia.  Anthurium forgetii, which can be seen in Windy Aubrey's photograph,  has no lobes at the top of each leaf.  You can read about Anthurium forgetii here:  Anthurium forgetii  

That plant looks similar to Anthurium crystallinum but has no sinus opening at all!  According to the Missouri Botanical Garden's aroid botanist Dr. Croat, it is a separate species and is quite different than Anthurium crystallinum.  Aroid expert Julius Boos explains the differences when he wrote regarding Anthurium forgetii (photo, left), "It has a completely closed or absent sinus.  You say that A. crystallinum has a closed sinus divided all the way down to the petiole. This would mean the two posterior lobes touch each other.  But there is a slit all the way down from the top of the posterior lobes down to the petiole.  It would not be a sealed or absent sinus like as A. forgetii."  Anthurium species are known to be highly variable and not every leaf of every specimen will always appear the same.  This link explains in non-technical language natural variation and morphogenesis within aroids and other species. 
Click here.

The species we now accept as Anthurium crystallinum was widely cultivated in Europe during the time of botanist Engler and his writings show he accepted as a part of A. crystallinum many specimens that have a relatively open sinus.  The plant we now commonly accept, and grow, as Anthurium crystallinum is found in Colombia and portions of Panama.  To add to the confusion regarding this commonly grown Anthurium the excellent text Aroids, Plants of the Arum Family indicates it is found from Panama through Peru.  However, a check of the TROPICOS (Missouri Botanical Garden) database shows no collections have been made in Ecuador or Peru.