It turns out, the leaf that the young man was holding has a very special “background.”
The Leaf with a Surprising History
On August 4th at Shanghai Airport, China, a man with the surname Du caused a commotion among all the passengers present. Specifically, Mr. Du arrived at the airport with a suitcase and a gigantic leaf measuring up to 1m2 in hand. After checking in his luggage, Mr. Du continued to proudly carry the leaf around the airport while waiting to board his flight. Not only did he hold the leaf tightly, but he also treated it with great care as if it were a precious item.
The young man clings to a giant leaf at Shanghai Airport, China. (Photo: Sohu).
Everyone was astonished by Mr. Du’s somewhat peculiar behavior. When passing through the security checkpoint, he continued to carry the leaf. According to airport staff, Mr. Du had even purchased a separate ticket for his leaf. They had thoroughly inspected the leaf before he boarded the plane. As a result, many mocked Mr. Du as being eccentric for spending money just to buy a plane ticket for a leaf, treating it with such delicate care. Some people recorded videos of Mr. Du wandering around the airport with the leaf and shared them on social media.
Some people recorded the scene of the young man holding the leaf and wandering at the airport, sharing it online to mock him. (Photo: Sohu)
Some even directly told Mr. Du that what he was doing was quite ridiculous. In response, Mr. Du stood in the middle of the airport and declared: “This leaf was given to me by a friend. He knows I am very passionate about rare leaf plants. When I visited him, he cut this leaf as a souvenir for me. I cherish it, which is why I am willing to spend my time and money to bring it home. What’s wrong with that? It’s my money; I can do whatever I want as long as it doesn’t affect anyone else.” Upon hearing these words, the entire airport immediately fell silent, with everyone feeling that his statement made sense. Consequently, the whispers and chatter about Mr. Du ceased.
The leaf that the young man tightly holds is valued between 165 million and over 300 million VND. (Photo: Sohu).
Several netizens commented under the videos shared about Mr. Du that the leaf he was holding is indeed a very rare plant. It is the Anthurium Veitchii – King of Anthuriums. The price of a single leaf of this plant can reach 50,000 to 100,000 CNY (from 165,000,000 VND to over 330,000,000 VND), and some leaves can even be priced at over a billion VND. After learning this information, people were even more impressed by Mr. Du’s “expensive” passion.
What makes the Anthurium Veitchii so special that its leaves are so expensive?
A Plant “Where Leaves Count”
The Anthurium Veitchii, also known as the King Anthurium, is an epiphytic plant belonging to the Anthurium genus. It originates from Colombia, South America. This plant is characterized by its elongated leaves with many folds, which can reach sizes of up to 2 meters when mature. The market price in Vietnam for a plant with 2 to 3 small leaves around 20 cm long is about 5-6 million VND. For mature Anthurium Veitchii leaves, prices can be quite high, ranging from 7,000-15,000 USD per leaf.
Anthurium Veitchii leaves can reach sizes of 2 meters when the plant matures. (Photo: Internet).
This is a type of plant often referred to as “where leaves count for money” because the number of leaves is a testament to the time spent growing them and the effort the grower has invested.
The scientific name of the Anthurium Veitchii is named after John Veitch, who first brought this species to Europe in 1876. It is an epiphytic plant that grows on other trees in nature.
The Anthurium Veitchii is often referred to as a “where leaves count for money” plant. (Photo: Internet)
True plant enthusiasts will immediately want to acquire a King Anthurium to pair with the Queen Anthurium—a perfect couple. The Anthurium Veitchii requires high humidity and cool temperatures like those found in mountainous regions. Scientists have previously attempted to hybridize different Anthurium species with this plant to create new generations that inherit its unique leaf characteristics. Currently, two pure forms of this species have been recognized: Wide Form and Narrow Form. Additionally, through selective breeding, nurseries have developed a new variant with tighter and thicker folds called the Super Narrow Form.
The flowers of the Anthurium Veitchii are not only beautiful but also emit a pleasant fragrance. (Photo: Internet).
Correct humidity and temperature are the best ways to successfully care for the Anthurium Veitchii. This plant thrives in temperatures ranging from 16-26°C and relative humidity of 70%.
The flower clusters of the Anthurium Veitchii can be light green or cream-colored; if you find an Anthurium with characteristics similar to the Anthurium Veitchii but with bracts in red, pink, or peach, it is likely a hybrid of this species. Their stunning beauty is not limited to their appearance; when touched, these delicate flowers emit a pleasant fragrance, adding to the allure of the “Anthurium King.”
