Rattling beauty

The unique Rattlesnake plant is a bright addition to any garden, writes Elaine Yim

IWOULD like to introduce a harmless rattlesnake to your garden. Unlike the real one whose mere rattling tail can send anyone into a fit of panic, this silent rattlesnake beauty can be a great conversation starter and the limelight of your garden.

I guarantee that only delicate little flowers will emerge from its rattle. There will be no fangs with poisonous venom, plus you can use it to fill up an empty, shaded area of your garden.

The common ones are those with yellow blooms but there are other varieties in red, white or green.

PLANT PROFILE:

Scientific name: Calathea crotalifera

Synonyms: Calathea insignis, Phyllodes insignis, Calathea sclerobractea, Calathea quadratispica

Family: Marantaceae (maranta family/ prayer plants)

Common names: Rattlesnake Plant, Rattlesnake Ginger, Rattle Shaker, Yellow Rattlesnake

Vernacular name: Its Chinese name is

meaning yellow flowered bamboo taro (yam). Calathea crotalifera is also known as the Rattlesnake Plant because its inflorescences resemble a rattlesnake’s tail. The flowers, which peek out from the neatly arranged bracts, are quite inconspicuous and fragile-looking.

The genus name Calathea is derived from the Greek word for basket, referring to how the leaves are arranged around the flowers like a basket.

There are 150 recorded species of plants in this genus. The epithet originated from two Latin words: for rattle and meaning to bear or carry. It refers to the blooms which look like a rattlesnake’s rattle.

Marantaceae is a family of herbaceous perennials also known as the arrowroot or

(prayer plant) family. Marantaceae is named in honour of Bartholomeo Maranta, a 16th century Italian physician-cum-botanist.

Marantaceae has close to 600 species of plants divided into 30 genera most of which are found in tropical America.

A handful of them are found in tropical Asia and Africa. Many are garden ornamentals grown for their attractive, exceptional foliage or exotic flowers.

THE PLANT

Calathea crotalifera is a herbaceous perennial native to tropical America where they

There are four varieties — yellow, red, white and green bracts.

are found in primary rainforest jungles from Mexico to Brazil.

The plants tend to grow together in clumps, reaching a height of 2.5-3m tall. The leaves are large and oval-shaped, measuring about one meter long and 15-50cm wide, looking a lot like banana leaves.

The upper side of the leaf is olive green in colour while the underside is a paler shade of green. The leaves are held upright by meter long leaf stalks.

The stems are in the form of underground tubers or rhizomes. Both the leaf and flower stalks arise directly from the ground.

The flower spikes are the most spectacular, exotic looking part of the plant. They are in the form of upright inflorescences that look like a rattlesnake’s tail, hence the common name.

The inflorescences which measure about 25cm long and 5cm wide are made up of several rows of boat-shaped bracts packed neatly together in two columns.

The actual flowers are tubular shaped, small and quite inconspicuous.They can be seen peeking out of the stacked bracts. The real flowers wither off very fast but the bracts are long-lasting. The flowers attract a few insects, namely ants and bees as well as butterflies.

The fruit is an egg-shaped capsule containing a few purple seeds.

HOW TO GROW

The Rattlesnake plant is best grown in the

ground where it will spread quickly.

The rhizomes are non-invasive. It can also be grown as an indoor plant where there is adequate lighting.

You can use it as a landscape specimen, natural screen, green divider or to fill up a shaded area of your garden. The inflorescences can be used as cut flowers in floral arrangements. It is very suitable for the tropical theme and shade gardens.

PROPAGATION

Buy a starter plant from local nurseries or propagate one from rhizomes or division of clumps. It should start flowering within nine months.

SUNLIGHT

Partial shade to filtered light.

MEDIUM

Well-drained moist soil.

WATER

Frequent watering up to twice a day.

FERTILISE

Apply compost or a balanced compound fertiliser once a fortnight.

MAINTENANCE

Remove dead leaves and spent flowers stalks.

PEST AND DISEASES

Generally free of pest and diseases.