Plants and mushrooms

Flamingo flower

Common name		Flamingo flower
Botanical name		Anthurium andraeanum
Other common names		Flamingo lily, Tail flower
Family		Araceae
General description		An ornamental plant with large, fleshy leaves and bright red or pink spathe flowers.
Flowers		The flowers consist of a red to pink bract or sheath called a spathe, which opens out flat and often shows puckering of the veins. The spathe is broad ovate to heart shaped, 10-15cm long. The central spike or spadix is white or yellow, 8-12cm long.
Leaves		The leaves are ovate or heart-shaped, 17-50cm long and 11-22cm wide.
Fruit/Berries		The fruit are red berries, 8-15mm long, ovoid shaped and clustered along the spike.
Other		The sap is clear.
Symptoms		Chewing any part can result in painful burning of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat. Sometimes acute inflammatory reactions including blistering and swelling of tissues can occur.
Toxicity category		2, 3
Warning		Seek urgent medical attention if lips or tongue become swollen or if there is difficulty breathing or swallowing.