Maranta Leuconeura

''Maranta leuconeura'', widely known as the prayer plant due to its daily sunlight-dependent movements (which are said to resemble hands “in-prayer”), is a species of flowering plant in the family Marantaceae native to the Brazilian tropical forests. It is a variable, rhizomatous perennial, growing to tall and broad, with crowded clumps of evergreen, strikingly-marked oval leaves, each up to long. The plant spreads itself horizontally, carpeting an entire small area of forest floor, sending roots into the substrate at each leaf node.

''Maranta'', in-addition to fellow “prayer-plant” genera (like '' Calathea'', '' Ctenanthe'', '' Goeppertia'' and '' Stromanthe''), is closely related to such groups as '' Alpinia'', ''Ensete'', '' Canna'', '' Curcuma'', '' Heliconia'', ''Musa'' and '' Zingiber''.

Description

The specific epithet ''leuconeura'' means "white-veined", referring to the leaves. The leaves have a habit of lying flat during the day, and folding in an erect position at night as if in prayer for evening vespers, hence the common name "prayer plant". This behaviour is an example of a diurnal rhythm.

Small, white to purple flowers appear during the growing season, although this is not always observed in houseplants and the flowers may not be considered significant in comparison to the attractive foliage. The broad leaves of the plant are oval, two-color, greenish and fairly shiny. There are patches on both sides of the leaf medium, the color of which varies depending on the variety. The patches may be light green, green, brownish or dark gray. Medium color also varies by variety. The undersides of the leaves are variable, ranging from a light green, common in ''M. leuconeura'' var. ''kerchoveana'', to a deep red, common in ''M. leuconeura'' var. ''erythroneura''. Roots are shallow.

Flowers, although small, are interesting in that they have a trigger mechanism, closing the entrance to the flower quickly with a curling appendage, which both deposits and collects pollen in one motion, and only triggers once per flower, as for others in this plant family. Flowers open in the morning, one or two at a time per cassette, and wilt in the evening, falling off if not pollinated. Each capsule may contain ten or so flowers, so a capsule may last over a week with daily flowers. Each flower stalk has two capsules, one below the other.

Cultivation

''Maranta leuconeura'' is a well-known houseplant in temperate regions, requiring a minimum temperature of . As a plant that is native to rainforests, ''Maranta'' prefers bright indirect sunlight, high humidity, and well-drained soil that has a high humus content. Acidic, clay or loam soils are tolerable.

Direct sunlight should be avoided, as well as standing water. At daytime the ideal temperature is 21–27 °C and at night 16–21 °C; the night temperature should not be lower than 15 °C. Higher temperatures also require higher humidity, for example, just spraying.

During the growing season, spring and summer, ''Maranta'' houseplants require moist soil and fertilization every month. Slightly drier soils and reduced fertilizer application are recommended for the remainder of the year. In warmer climates, at USDA Zones 10b-11, it can be grown as groundcover in moist, shady areas.

Propagation

Spacing between plants should be between Propagation is achieved via division and cuttings. Cuttings, 10 cm in length with 3–4 leaves, should be taken in the spring. Bottom heat can be applied to the cuttings to promote rooting. Propagation by seed is possible although is less common. Seed germination is recommended at . ''Maranta leuconeura'' can also be propagated in vitro.

Cultivars

Numerous cultivars have been produced.

Varieties

The following naturally occurring varieties (distinguishable from artificially selected cultivars) have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:-

*''Maranta leuconeura'' var. ''kerchoveana'' (rabbit's foot), dark blotches between the leaf veins
*''Maranta leuconeura'' var. ''erythroneura'' (herringbone plant); strong red veining on dark green leaves

Common uses

''M. leuconeura'' can be grown in planters, hanging baskets, mass planting, and as an edging plant. This plant is frequently used in shopping malls.

Chemistry

Rosmarinic acid can be found in plants in the family Marantaceae such as ''Maranta leuconeura''.Occurrence of rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid and rutin in Marantaceae species. Yana Abdullah, Bernd Schneider and Maike Petersen, Phytochemistry Letters, 12 December 2008, Volume 1, Issue 4, Pages 199–203,

Diseases

''Maranta'' usually experiences minimal insect pest pressure, however, spider mites and mealybugs can be of significant concern. Leaf spot and cucumber mosaic virus are diseases that can occur. Root rot can occur in poorly drained soils.

See also

* Fishbone prayer plant

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q6754829

Flora of Brazil
leuconeura
House plants