Caladium praetermissum 'Hilo Beauty'

Caladium praetermissum 'Hilo Beauty' (often also sold as just Caladium 'Hilo Beauty' or even Alocasia 'Hilo Beauty') is most likely not a cultivated variety or hybrid, but actually a natural form. Its origin is presumed to be eastern Brazil (Minas Gerais). The reason this is only presumed is that the species is known almost exclusively from cultivation, and has been for quite some time. It was only described as a new species by Bogner and Hetterscheid in 2009 based on a specimen from the Munich Botanical Garden, although it had been in the garden's collection since 1981.

Meanwhile, there are some pictures that probably show the species in its natural habitat. However, it is not clear whether these are natural occurrences or specimens that have "escaped" from cultivation.

Caladium praetermissum grows quite large! It reaches a height of 80 to 100 cm, with leaves 40 to 60 cm long and 20 to 30 cm wide. The leaves are matte, velvety, and deep green with individual, sharply defined, light spots. The petioles are green with slight striations and individual, reddish-brown spots. Like most Caladium, Caladium 'Hilo Beauty' also undergoes a dormant phase in winter. During this time, the leaves die back and it survives as an underground tuber until spring.

 

You will receive a plant in a 10 cm round pot. Approx. 30 cm high.