Rattlesnake plant
Calathea crotalifera S.Watson
Calathea crotalifera, known as the Rattlesnake plant, is a rhizomatous perennial in the Marantaceae family. Native to central and southern Mexico, Central America, and tropical South America, it is also found in regions like Colombia, Ecuador, and has been introduced to Hawai'i and Puerto Rico. This species thrives in wet tropical environments and is cultivated for ornamental purposes. Its large, banana-like leaves can reach up to 3 m in height. The plant produces yellow flowers arranged in spikes up to 40 cm tall, with each flower subtended by a saucer-like yellow bract. The flowers possess a single petaloid stamen with a single locule, similar to those of the Canna genus.
Description
Calathea crotalifera is a member of the Marantaceae family and is native to a wide range including central and southern Mexico, Central America, and tropical South America, extending as far south as Ecuador. It has also been introduced to Hawai'i and Puerto Rico. This plant is characterized by its large, banana-like leaves that can grow up to 3 m in height. It is commonly found in wet tropical habitats and is often used as an ornamental plant. The plant's flowers are yellow and arranged in spikes up to 40 cm in height, with each flower supported by a saucer-like yellow bract. The flowers have a single petaloid stamen bearing a single locule, a feature similar to the Canna genus.
Other common names
Rattlesnake plant
Distribution
BR · Parque Nacional Natural Las Orquídeas | Parque Nacional Natural Sierra de la Macarena | Parque Nacional Natural Tinigua | Parque Nacional Natural Utría · Floridablanca | Sucre · Cerro Tacarcuna, Unguía, Chocó · Antioquia, Boyacá, Caldas, Casanare, Cauca, Chocó, Córdoba, La Guajira, Guaviare, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Risaralda, Valle · Departamentos del Caquetá y Guaviare: Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete · Cuenca de Río Claro · Tauramena · Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete (PNNSCh) · Municipios de Carmen del Darién, Río Sucio y Unguía, Cuenca del Atrato · Hawaii · Belize · Bolivia · Brazil North · Colombia · Costa Rica · Ecuador · Guatemala · Honduras · Mexico Central · Mexico Gulf · Mexico Southeast · Mexico Southwest · Panamá · Peru · Puerto Rico · Venezuela · Armenia | Leticia | Villavicencio
Synonyms
Calathea insignisCalathea insignisCalathea quadratispicaCalathea sclerobracteaPhyllodes insignisPhyllodes insigne
