Flower-leaf hybrid: How common is this identity crisis in plants?

Question

(I posted this question in Botany two days ago, but got no answers.)

I own an Anthurium (which sub-species, I'm afraid I don't know, but it has light pink flowers.) It has flowered flawlessly for many months, and last week put up another flowerbud.

Halfway through opening, however, the flower decided it wanted to be a leaf.

A week later, it's grown to the full size of an Anthurium leaf (say, 7" by 4"), is half green and half pink, and has a fully-developed flower stalk or stamen! It is therefore much, much larger than a normal Anthurium flower.

Is there a proper term for these 'Floleafs' or 'Leaflowers?'

How common are they (my plants have never done this before, and the Anthurium has since put up three perfectly normal flowers)?

I will try to post a picture if I can borrow a digital camera.

Answer 1

Without a picture it is difficult to say with certainty. It is likely a "reversion" to one of the parents. Most commercially available Anthurium are hybrids. If this is the case one parent had very large spathe that was green and looked similar to what you are seeing. The spathe is a modified leaf so it is certainly not outside the realm of possibility. Then again It may be an aberrant genetic mutation or it may be a a physiological response to some environmental stimulus.

Answer 2

The "flower" looks like a bract (modified leaf) rather than a true petal, but I have never seen it before, or on a Spathypyllum either.

How unusual!! Did you get a picture by any chance? I'd love to see it.

Answer 3

It's what you call a rogue plant and should be disposed of pretty quick.

Aa black sheep years ago called rogue hence the saying black sheep of the family. You will see farmers walking through fields of wheat looking for rogue barley plants.

Answer 4

I never knew you had such interests....sorry I am ignorant when it comes to such things

Answer 5

hope you are not overwhelmed by the interest in your question!