Geogenanthus ciliatus 'Aura Flame'

Geogenanthus ciliatus belongs to the Commelinaceae family. It grows on the forest floor, often in the deep shade of the rainforest giants, with a creeping, fleshy rhizome from which the leaves and flowers emerge at regular intervals. The leaves grow to a length of around 20 cm, and in exceptional cases up to 30 cm. Fresh leaves appear rolled up and green; over the course of a few days, they unroll and only then take on their typical colour and develop their wavy shape. The leaves are strikingly thick and ‘fleshy’. Their deep lilac to blue colour, combined with their intense sheen, makes them very difficult to photograph. The leaves remind me of a puddle of oil...

The variegated form ‘Aura Flame’ also features a yellow, striped pattern. A veritable explosion of colour!

On the underside, the leaves are deep purple in colour and have a yellowish downy texture. The flowers are violet and inconspicuous, and last only a few days.

The thick, vivid orange roots are particularly striking, especially when repotting. Together with the rhizome, they serve as storage organs for nutrients and water during the short dry season in the plant’s natural habitat.

You’ll receive a young plant in a 6 cm pot.