Maranta leuconeura 'Kerchoveana'

The maranta ( Maranta leuconeura ) is a member of the arrowroot family (Marantaceae) that grows naturally on the east coast of Brazil. The forest there is known as the "Atlantic Rainforest" and is a subtropical vegetation type with abundant rainfall and a relatively mild climate.

M. leuconeura 'Kerchoveana' has attractive, light green leaves with dark spots. It grows from an underground rhizome, which serves as a water and nutrient reservoir. It reaches a height of about 30 to 40 cm and grows more creeping than upright.

There are many cultivated varieties of Maranta leuconeura , often given Latin-sounding names (e.g., "tricolor," "fascinator," or "amabilis"). None of these names are part of the botanical name; they are merely trade names. Subspecies are also not recognized (according to current literature) and are simply synonyms. A list of synonyms is available here .



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