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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
Classifications and Characteristics
Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
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Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
Native Distribution | Northeastern Brazil |
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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. |
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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 |
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Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
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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 |
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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) |
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Floral (Angiosperm)
Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
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Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Flower Symmetry | Asymmetrical |
Inflorescence Type | Spike |
Ovary Position | Inferior / Epipgynous |
Flowering Period | Rarely |
Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
Master ID | 466 |
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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. |