The Journey of Anthurium Ace of Spades: From Mystery to Icon
To truly appreciate the enigmatic Anthurium Ace of Spades, we must travel back to the 1980s, where its story begins in a small, family-owned nursery that unknowingly etched its name into botanical history: Silver Krome Gardens (SKG) in Homestead, Florida.
The Beginnings at SKG
Founded in 1983 by Dennis Rotolante, SKG gained notoriety for its innovative plant cultivation techniques. The Ace of Spades emerged when Dennis received a batch of mystery seeds from his friend, Tom Fennel III, the owner of a nearby nursery, The Orchid Jungle. These seeds held an intriguing backstory.
Tom’s father, Tom Fennel II, had harvested berries from an unknown Anthurium plant during his travels in South America. As an avid orchid enthusiast, Tom II lacked detailed documentation of the plant's location or specific characteristics, but he theorized that the plant had self-pollinated, as no other Anthuriums were nearby. The seeds were passed to Rotolante, who germinated and cultivated them.
Naming the Ace of Spades
The seedlings grew into striking Anthuriums, each showcasing unique traits. Rotolante distributed most of these plants among friends, except for one remarkable specimen. This plant, with its dark, velvety foliage shaped like a spade, was named Anthurium Ace of Spades. The name perfectly captured its dramatic leaf shape and deep, dark hues.
Surviving Hurricane Andrew
The Ace of Spades nearly disappeared in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew devastated South Florida. Tragically, the original jungle-collected mother plant was lost, along with much of Rotolante’s collection. However, the Ace of Spades survived because Rotolante had brought it home for safekeeping before the storm struck.
Making Its Way to the Public
In 1988, SKG released the first batch of seed-grown Ace of Spades plants to the public, delighting collectors. The plant briefly entered tissue culture production in the early 2000s, allowing for larger-scale propagation. At that time, it was sold wholesale for as little as $4.50.
The Plant Boom of 2020
During the plant boom of 2020, fuelled by social media and increased interest in rare houseplants, the Ace of Spades re-emerged as a sought-after treasure. With tissue culture propagation halted, prices skyrocketed, with individual plants selling for hundreds of dollars.
The Rarest Variant: Dark Form
Among the most coveted varieties is the Ace of Spades Dark Form, a version with darker foliage and muted vein coloration. Contrary to popular belief, the "Dark Form" moniker doesn’t stem from its leaf colour alone but from its distinctive vein patterns. This form is incredibly rare, with Tezula Plants reporting that fewer than 5% of self-pollinated Ace of Spades seedlings exhibit the characteristics of the Dark Form. Its rarity has made it a premium collector’s item, often priced in the thousands.
The Lost Mother Plant
With the original jungle-sourced mother plant lost to history, the Ace of Spades' precise origins remain a mystery. It is a poignant reminder of the irreplaceable treasures found in nature. As plant enthusiasts continue to celebrate and propagate this iconic hybrid, one wonders: could its original ancestor still be hiding in the rainforests, waiting to be rediscovered?
Preserving Legacy
At Happiest Plants, we were thrilled to acquire a clone of the original Anthurium Ace of Spades directly from William Rotolante, son of Dennis Rotolante, the plant’s original creator. William continues his father’s legacy at Silver Krome Gardens, embodying the second generation of dedication to rare plant cultivation.
Owning this piece of botanical history feels like holding a living fragment of the Ace of Spades’ storied past, connecting us to its origin and preserving its significance for future generations of plant enthusiasts.
The Anthurium Ace of Spades symbolizes the intersection of human ingenuity and nature's wonders. From its humble beginnings in a Florida nursery to its status as a collector's gem, its journey is a testament to the enduring beauty and mystery of the plant world.