Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Maranta species unidentified

A genus of about 20 evergreen, rhizomatous perennials from Central and South American rainforests.  In temperate climes they they are mainly grown for their highly decorative leaves as pot specimens.  

 

Horticultural & Botanical History

In the early Victorian period Marantas became very popular greenhouse plants and many varieties are figured in the botanical magazines and periodicals of the day.  Many varieties were raised in Belgium and a particularly large number were figured in Flore des Serres.  The genus includes such economically important species as Maranta arundinacea L., cultivated in tropical lowlands for its thick, sturdy rhizomes, which are ground to produce ‘Arrowroot’, an important, starch-rich food crop.

 

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.668/1857].

 

Notes

Maranta zebrina is figured in the Botanical Register [BR f.385/1819] and Loddiges’ Botanical Cabinet [LBC no.494/1820].  M. zebrina [LBC no.921/1824] and bicolor minor [LBC no.1924/1833] are also figured.  The varieties albo-lineatis and rosea-lineatis are figured in Flore des Serres [FS f.413-414/1848].

 

Published Mar 20, 2009 - 03:30 PM | Last updated Oct 21, 2011 - 05:10 PM

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The image shows the large green leaf, striped darker, and purple flowers. Botanical Register f.385, 1819.

Maranta zebrina | BR f.385/1819 | BHL

 

Family Marantaceae
Category
Region of origin

Tropical America
Synonyms
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Maranta sp.

 
Confidence level low