Goeppertia insignis explained

Goeppertia insignis (syn. Calathea lancifolia, Goeppertia lancifolia), the rattlesnake plant, is a species of flowering plant in the Marantaceae family, native to Rio de Janeiro state in Brazil.^[1]

It is an evergreen perennial, growing to, with slender pale green leaves to, heavily marked above with dark blotches, purple below.^{[2] [3]}

Cultivation

Goeppertia insignis prefers indirect sunlight.^[4] These plants want well-drained, but moist, soil. They like a pH of 6.1 to 7.3.^[5] The plant requires a minimum temperature of, and it is commonly used as a houseplant in temperate regions.

Leaves

The bottom side of the leaves are purple, with the adaxial surface having what look like dark green alternating large and small leaflets overlaid on the light green leaf.^[6] Like other prayer plants, its leaves fold together at night, and unfold again in the morning.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Goeppertia insignis (W.Bull ex W.E.Marshall) J.M.A.Braga, L.J.T.Cardoso & R.Couto . . Plants of the World Online . Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . 12 May 2021 .
2. Book: RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants . 2008 . Dorling Kindersley . United Kingdom . 978-1405332965 . 1136.
3. Web site: Calathea lancifolia rattlesnake plant . 2021 . The Royal Horticultural Society . 12 May 2021 .
4. Web site: Goeppertia insignis rattlesnake plant/RHS Gardening . 2020-09-17 . www.rhs.org.uk . en-gb.
5. Web site: Plant database entry for Rattlesnake Plant (Goeppertia lancifolia) with 25 images and 23 data details. . 2020-09-17 . garden.org . en.
6. Web site: Goeppertia insignis (Calathea lancifolia 2, Prayer Plant, Rattlesnake Calathea, Rattlesnake Master, Rattlesnake Plant) North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox . 2020-09-17 . plants.ces.ncsu.edu.
7. Web site: Prayer Plant - Maranta leuconeura Picture, Care Tips . 2020-09-18 . www.guide-to-houseplants.com.