Scientific Name:
Cryptanthus bivittatus
Pronunciation:
krip-TAN-thus biv-it-TAY-tus
Common Name:
earth star
Family Name:
Bromeliaceae
Plant Type:
Indoor foliage plant
Key ID Features:
Leaves basal (eventaually spirally arranged on a compact stem), linear-lanceolate, most 10-15cm long x 1-2cm wide, margins serrate and wavy, green, to pink to dark red and variegated lenthwise in pink, silver, or whitish stripes.
Habit:
Open, Spreading
Form:
Oval - horizontal
Texture:
Medium - coarse
Mature Height:
0.1 - 0.2m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
South America (E. Brazil)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 11: (above 4 °C)
Exposure:
Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Indoor plant
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Spiraled, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Succulent, Prickly, Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Summer:
Pink, Longitudinal cream and pink stripes.
Shapes:
Lanceolate, Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Serrate, Serrulate, Undulate (wavy)
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated
Inflorescence Type:
Cyme
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
4
Corolla Shape:
Tubular
Ovary Position:
Inferior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, White
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Multiple fruit
Fruit Colour:
Green
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Fruit insignificant, Rarely seen locally
Bark or Stem Colour:
n/a
Organ Modifications:
Succulent leaves
Propagation:
Division - above ground parts
Optimal Temp.:
Medium
Light Level:
Medium
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Mealybugs, Root rot, Scale insects
