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Xiphidium caeruleum Aubl.
| Family Name: | Haemodoraceae |
| Common Name: | Cola de Paloma, Angelhands, Palmita, Soskia |
Name
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Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | West Indies |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Herb. |
| Foliage | Narrow, linear leaves are arranged in a fan shape that gracefully bends to form a fountain-like structure. Glossy, hairless leaf surface has a rippled texture, because of the parallel venation. |
| Flowers | Small, egg-shaped flower buds give rise to white, tubular flowers that hang down and open slightly at the tip. Plants produce a spike-like inflorescence under full sun, but a branched inflorescence under semi-shade. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, [Remarks] (Intolerant of waterlogged conditions.) |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 1270 |
| Species ID | 2563 |
| 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. |