Stromanthe thalia
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stromanthe thalia is a plant species in the arrowroot family Marantaceae, native to the Brazilian rainforest. It is also known by the synonym Stromanthe sanguinea.[1][2]
| Stromanthe thalia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Stromanthe sanguinea 'Triostar' | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Marantaceae |
| Genus: | Stromanthe |
| Species: | S. thalia |
| Binomial name | |
| Stromanthe thalia (Vell.) J.M.A.Braga | |
It is a common houseplant in temperate climates, valued for its striking variegated leaves with purple undersides. It can grow outside in a humid tropical climate, but needs light shade in the afternoon and must be protected from high winds.[3]
The soil should be kept moist at all times, but never waterlogged as the plant is susceptible to root rot.[4]
Hummingbirds and bees are the main pollinators.
Under ideal growing conditions, Stromanthe sanguinea will reach 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m) tall in about a year after emerging from its rhizome.[2] Propagation can be from either seeds or rhizome division, but it is faster and more reliable to take rhizome cuttings.
The Latin specific epithet sanguinea means “blood-red.[5]
Stromanthe sanguinea has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6]
Gallery
Else Kientzler Botanical Garden, Sarchi Norte, Costa Rica
Behnke Nurseries, Beltsville, MD USA
Durban Botanic Gardens, Durban
