Not a petal at all
Search results show many people asking about the white flower with a yellow stick in the middle. The white part is the spathe, a waxy leaf-like structure. The yellow stick is the spadix, which bears the tiny true flowers. Anthurium andraeanum comes from Colombia and Ecuador and lives in warm, shady, humid places.
What white suggests
In the language of flowers, anthurium traditionally stands for welcome, and white adds the idea of calm and purity. People often give a white one to mark a new home or a fresh start.
Everyday care for white an anthurium
1. Place it in bright, indirect light. Direct sun will bleach and mark the white spathe. 2. Water when the top of the mix is just dry, and tip out surplus. 3. Keep the room warm. Anything below about 15 degrees Celsius upsets it, which can be a risk in a southern winter. 4. Wipe the glossy leaves with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free. 5. Feed lightly each month during the growing season.
Because the spathe is white, brown tips show up quickly. Dry air and fertiliser burn are common causes, so mist or group plants together.
Keeping pets safe around white an anthurium
Wikipedia notes that the whole plant is toxic, with calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth and throat. For a person who has eaten some, the Poisons Information Line is on 13 11 26. For a pet, call a vet.
