Anubias hastifolia is a species belonging to the Aroid genus Anubias. It was first mentioned by Adolf Engler in 1889[1] and described scientifically by him in 1893.[2]
The following names are synonyms of A. hastifolia: A. hastifolia var. sublobata Engler, 1893, A. auriculata Engler, 1899, A. haullevilleana De Wildeman, 1903, A. laurentii De Wildeman, 1910.[3] In 1913, Rendle described the genus Amauriella, with one species, A. obanensis Rendle, 1913.[4] Amauriella obanensis was subsequently reduced to a synonym of Anubias hastifolia and the genus Amauriella was merged into Anubias.[3]
Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and Democratic Republic of the Congo.[3]
A. hastifolia has leaf blades that can be up to 33 cm long and 14 cm wide and are rather variable in form, ranging from elliptic/oval to lance- or spear-shaped. The leaf stems are generally longer than the blade and up to 67 cm long. The leaves are set on a creeping and rooting rhizome that is 5 to 15 mm thick. The spathe is 2 to 4.5 cm long and has an up to 24 cm long peduncle. The spadix is 1.5 to 4 cm long and is about as long as the spathe. The upper part is covered with male flowers, of which the 4 to 6 stamens are fused into synandria, with the thecae on its sides. The lower part of the spadix is covered with female flowers that are reduced to the ovary and stigma.[3]
The plant grows on the banks of little streams in the forest, on rocks, or in mud. It flowers throughout the year, fruiting from September till January.[5]
. Rendle . A. B. . Alfred Barton Rendle . Catalogue of the plants collected by Mr. & Mrs. P. A. Talbot in the Oban district, S. Nigeria . London . Araceae . 1913.