Calathea roseopicta 'Dottie' / 'Illustris'

Calathea roseopicta 'Dottie', which according to current taxonomy is actually Goeppertia roseopicta , originates from northern South America. 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 60 cm. This variety is occasionally also known as 'Illustris'.

This cultivar of C. roseopicta has black leaves with pink stripes when young, making it immediately eye-catching. Older plants lose this pattern once they reach a certain size and instead develop the typical leaves of C. roseopicta . Because they constantly branch, new runners continually emerge, producing the stunning, dramatic pink and black leaves.



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!