Goeppertia inocephala
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Goeppertia inocephala is a species of plant in the Marantaceae family which is native to Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, northern Brazil, and southeastern Mexico.[1] This species belong to the sub-group of Goeppertia called the Ornata group.
| Goeppertia inocephala | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Marantaceae |
| Genus: | Goeppertia |
| Species: | G. inocephala |
| Binomial name | |
| Goeppertia inocephala | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
Goeppertia inocephala is one of the biggest species of Goeppertia, with an average height between 1.5 meters and 3 meters. It has huge, ovale, plain green leaves (30–55 cm), with green on the underside, with tall, thick green petioles and a long, green pulvinus. The inflorescence of G.inocephala is composed of multiple bracts spiraly arranged on a thick peduncle. The bracts are usually green and yellow but occasionally can be red due to genetic variation happening in the species. The flowers are usually cream-colored and can vary to yellow. The staminodes are shaped like a small tube, which makes it easy to identify. The inflorescence rapidly rot and becomes a whole ecosystem for insects that can feed on the rotten bracts.[2] This species can sometimes develop a leaf pattern on juvenile leaves. The pattern consists of pink lines above between the lateral veins, which makes this species belong to the Ornata group.[3] When sterile, Goeppertia inocephala may be confused with Calathea lutea, but when fruiting, the fruits make it easily recognizable.[4] It is viviparous.[5]
Uses
In the Amazon, the leaves are used for wrapping food.[6] The Ye'Kwana people of Venezuela use the leaves of Goeppertia inocephala to line baskets for storing mañioco (manioc cereal).[7] They also use the plant as temporary thatching in house construction.
