Marcgravia sp. 'El Coca'

Marcgravia sp. 'El Coca' is a climbing plant that likely originated in the region around the city of Puerto Francisco de Orellana (originally "El Coca") in northwestern Ecuador. As a young plant, it grows closely clinging to trees and exhibits a growth habit unusual for Marcgravia . The remarkably hard stems bear small leaves, approximately 2 to 3 cm in diameter, and produce lateral branches every 5 to 10 cm, which then extend horizontally from the stem. The leaves on these lateral branches are much larger (approximately 10 to 15 cm) and droop downwards. These "terrace" branches reach a length of about 10 to 20 cm.

Many other Marcgravia species grow similarly, but only develop their side branches in the treetops after growing many meters upwards without branching. This is almost never seen in terrarium cultivation, as the plants simply don't grow large enough to develop into their adult form. Furthermore, these "terrace" branches become significantly larger in other Marcgravia species .

Marcgravia sp. 'El Coca' is unique in that it shows this growth even as a very small plant, making it an absolute highlight in the terrarium.

The leaves are an extremely dark, desaturated red, appearing black under most light conditions. The leaf surface is velvety, with a prominent light midrib. The undersides of the leaves are red and have conspicuous hydathodes (water glands) along the leaf margin. The leaves of the "terraces" are a uniform dark color without any pattern, while the much smaller leaves of the climbing stems have a white border and sometimes small white spots.

Marcgravia are absolutely trouble-free to care for in a terrarium, provided they remain consistently moist.



You will receive a well-rooted young plant with 2 to 3 shoots in a 6cm pot. See pictures 4 & 5 in the gallery.