Calathea warszewiczii

Calathea warszewiczii , which according to current taxonomy is actually Goeppertia warszewiczii , is an arrowroot plant (Marantaceae) from Central America, specifically Costa Rica and Panama. There, it grows in shady spots in the undergrowth of rainforests. It grows from an underground rhizome, which serves as a water and nutrient reservoir. It reaches a height of about 100 cm.

This beautiful species is not yet widely available and has elongated, velvety, short-haired leaves. It grows more upright than other members of its genus and thus becomes taller, but also remains less sprawling.



Arrowroot plants are also called "prayer plants" in English because of the way their leaves move; at night, they fold them upwards like hands in prayer. Generally, the leaves of Marantaceae move relatively quickly and frequently, so these movements (which almost all plants exhibit) are much more noticeable in Marantaceae. This makes them appear truly alive!