Scientific Name:
Maranta leuconeura
Pronunciation:
muh-RAN-tuh loo-ko-NYOOR-uh
Common Name:
prayer plant, rabbit tracks, herringbone plant
Family Name:
Marantaceae
Plant Type:
Indoor foliage plant
Key ID Features:
Trailing tropical plant; leaves alternate, broadly elliptic to oblong-obovate, most 12-14cm long x 7-8cm wide, squarish dark green patches with triangular notches arranged along the midrib or striking venation
, margins entire and fold together with apex pointed upward at night as if in prayer.
Habit:
Horizontal, Pendulous
Form:
Oval - horizontal
Texture:
Coarse
Mature Height:
0.2 - 0.4m
Mature Spread:
0.3 - 0.6m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
South America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 11: (above 4 °C)
Exposure:
Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Hanging basket, Indoor plant
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown include M. 'Erythoneura' (red veined, purple undersides), and M. 'Kerchoviana' (previously considered a variety).
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Heavily veined, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Red, Varis with cv.
Shapes:
Elliptic, Oblong, Obovate
Apices:
Acute, Rounded, Truncate
Bases:
Obtuse
Margins:
Entire, Undulate (wavy)
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Red
Organ Modifications:
Fleshy monocot roots, Rhizomes
Propagation:
Division - below ground parts, Stem tip cuttings
Optimal Temp.:
High
Light Level:
Medium
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Mealybugs, Mites, Root rot, Thrips, Virus (Pest resistant, Disease resistant)