Anthurium ernestii is markedly variable according to herbarium labels, with spadices at least varying from pinkish to magenta to purple, dark red, or green. Overall spadix size in Pachyneurium is variable and depends on the size and age of the plant and its condition. However, even this character is sometimes highly variable and may vary depending on the age and health of the plant. The number of flowers visible per spiral, though somewhat variable from spadix to spadix for any species, may also be taxonomically significant, with the number ranging from as few as three or four flowers visible per spiral for A. vaupesianum and A. uleanum var. nanayense to as high as 28 flowers visible per spiral for A. galactospadix , and 24 for A . superbum . They are arranged symmetrically on four sides of the pistil.
Tepals are narrow, thin, and generally colorless except at the apex.
Tepals are markedly cucullate at the apex and mostly cover the apex of the pistil. The actual length of the tepals, including the hidden portion which extends into the axis of the spadix, is never measured. Tepal shape may be important taxonomically. Most are basically triangular, with the inner margin almost straight to rounded to broadly rounded. The outer margin, though commonly two-sided, is more variable.