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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 0.3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil & Adjacent Venezuela |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous perennial grows from a tuber and forms dense clumps. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Thin, arrow-shaped leaves with entire leaf margin are dark green with irregular white patches (10 - 14 cm long, 4 -7 cm wide). Leaves are borne on long petioles (10 - 25 cm long) without a stem. |
| Flowers | This species does not produce flowers or fruits in cultivation. |
| Cultivation | This slow-growing species is easy to cultivate. The tuber should be planted at a depth of twice its height in well-drained potting soil that is kept moist. It grows best in a humid environment and should be misted frequently. Feed regularly with a 8-8-8 NPK fertilizer. It is prone to attack by mealy bugs, spider mites, and aphids, as well as susceptible to tuber rot, leaf spot and leaf burn. Leaf spot is a minor fungal disease that causes brown spots; infected leaves should be removed. Leaf burn is a browning along the leaf edge that results from dehydration and excess sun or fertilizer. Propagate by dividing the tubers. |
| Etymology | The genus "Caladium" is believed to originate from the South American name for these plants ("kale" or "kaladi"). The species epithet "humboldtii" was named after Alexander von Humboldt (1769 - 1859), a German naturalist and explorer who documented plant species in Latin America. His research formed the basis of the field of biogeography. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: All portions of the plant are toxic upon consumption, causing inflammation of the mouth and throat and stomach pain. Contact with the plant sap may cause skin irritation. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, White |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 448 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1744 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
