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Goeppertia rufibarba

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Goeppertia rufibarba (Fenzl) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Family Name: Marantaceae
Synonyms: Calathea rufibarba Fenzl
Common Name: Velvet Calathea, Furry Feather Calathea, Furry Calathea

Goeppertia rufibarba, or the Velvet Calathea, is a clump-forming herb with an upright growth habit. The lanceolate leaves are distinctly furry with a purple underside. It can easily be grown indoors in a container with adequate humidity and well-draining loamy soil.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic

Biogeography

Native Distribution Northeastern Brazil
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only)

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial with an upright growth habit, reaching about 50-70 cm in height.
Foliage The leaves are green on top and purple underneath and covered in long, dense hairs. The leaf blades are lanceolate, reaching 25 cm long and 8 cm wide, and the leaf margin is wavy. The petioles (leaf stalks) may reach up to 10 cm long and are also covered in hair.
Flowers The flowers are yellow and arranged in a compact spike. Flowering of this species has not been observed in Singapore.
Habitat It can be found in the understorey layer of tropical rainforests.
Cultivation It grows best in semi-shade or low-light conditions and prefers well-draining, loamy soil. Keep away from bright, direct sunlight to prevent leaves from scorching. Leaves might develop brown spots and margins if the soil holds too much water or is exposed to low humidity/ strong winds. Brown dead leaves will usually stay on the plant; regularly prune off dead leaves.
Etymology The genus Goeppertia is named after Heinrich Göppert (1800–1884), a German botanist and paleontologist. The specific epithet rufibarba is from Latin rufus, "red" and barba, "beard", referring to the furry leaves.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Shade
Water Preference Occasional Misting, Lots of Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Propagation Method Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green, Purple
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Velvety / Furry / Tomentose
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Green - Light Green
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Equitant
Foliar Attachment to Stem Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate)
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Entire - Wavy / Undulate
Foliar Apex - Tip Acuminate
Foliar Base Cuneate
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Flower Grouping Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Symmetry Asymmetrical
Inflorescence Type Spike
Ovary Position Inferior / Epipgynous
Flowering Period Rarely
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Image Repository

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Others

Master ID 466
Species ID 1762
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 08 January 2025.
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