.jpg)
Back
Phyllotaenium lindenii André
| Family Name: | Araceae |
| Synonyms: | Caladium lindenii 'Magnificum' |
| Common Name: | Angel's Wing, Indian Kale, Spoon Flower, White Vein Arrow Leaf, Yautia |
.jpg)
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.3 m to 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herbaceous shrub that grows from tuberous rhizomes. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are large, thin and leathery with entire leaf margin (0.45 m long). They are arrow-shaped with 2 oval-shaped lobes at the leaf base. The leaf stalk is brownish and either erect or slightly curved (0.3 - 0.6 m). Stalks may be covered in soft, short hairs or rough. Leaves are light to dark green and whitish along the major veins. |
| Flowers | Whitish, unisexual flowers resemble calla lily flowers. The inflorescence consists of a green, rod-like spadix and white, petal-like spathe that surrounds the spadix like a hood. |
| Fruit | Fleshy fruits are whitish berries. |
| Cultivation | Plant this species in fertile, moist, but well-drained soil that is slightly acidic (eg., loamy potting soil or sandy loam soil). It requires a humid environment. When growing this species indoors, consider grouping several plants together to increase humidity. Although some gardening books recommend placing plants on wet pebbles to increase humidity, please note that stagnant water is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes. This species is susceptible to whiteflies, mealy bugs and pythium rot. Caution: For some people, touching the leaves may irritate their skin. |
| Etymology | The species epithet 'lindenii' was named after John Linden, a botanist who studied tropical plants in Colombia during the mid 1800s. This species was named "Angel's Wing," because the pointed lobes at the leaf base look like wings. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This species is grown for its ornamental foliage. It grows well in containers and is ideal for interior decoration. The variegated leaves provide a nice contrast against mostly green plants. Consider planting this species in front of large ferns, shrubs or small trees. Alternatively, it can be used as edging to provide a tropical look. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting, Flowerbed / Border |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | May cause skin irriation |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting, Division |
| Propagation Method Remarks | Propagate by rhizome division. |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, White |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Leathery, Thin |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Sagittate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Sagittate |
| Typical Foliar Area | Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers , Monoecious |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Spathe & Spadix |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Berry |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 449 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1745 |
| 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. |