[4] General common names include anthurium, tailflower, flamingo flower,[6] pigtail plant,[7] and laceleaf.

The inflorescence bears small flowers which are perfect, containing male and female structures.

[12] The spadix and spathe are a main focus of Anthurium breeders, who develop cultivars in bright colors and unique shapes.

Anthurium scherzerianum and A. andraeanum, two of the most common taxa in cultivation, are the only species that grow bright red spathes.

Plants in pots with good root systems will benefit from a weak fertilizer solution every other week.

In 1860 there were 183 species known to science, and Heinrich Wilhelm Schott defined them in 28 sections in the book Prodromus Systematis Aroidearum.