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Calathea lutea (Aubl.) E.Mey. ex Schult.
| Family Name: | Marantaceae |
| Common Name: | Cigar Calathea, Cuban Cigar, Mexican Cigar Plant, Habana Cigar, Pampano |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
|---|---|
| Maximum Height | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical America |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | This species forms a clump of large leaves which emerge from an underground rhizome. |
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| Foliage | Large, broadly ovate leaf blade is bright green above, but silvery and waxy below. In the morning, the leaf blade is horizontally oriented and flat, while at night, it becomes more vertical and folds in half along the midrib. |
| Flowers | The 30-cm long inflorescence is composed of reddish brown, cup-shaped bracts which are alternately stacked on top of each other in 2 files. For each inflorescence, about 2-3 yellow, tubular flowers occur within the cup-shaped bracts. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: The leaves are used as food wrappers in Panama. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Occasional Misting, Lots of Water |
| Propagation Method | Division |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Silver / Grey |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
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| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Tubular |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 455 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1751 |
| 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. |
