We'd like to know what it is so that we can learn how to care for it. The original owner called it a "Weather Plant" as it went through some kind of changes as the weather changed? It may have spoken only to her, we don't know yet. RUMOR: It may actually need very low light. See attached pics. Note that as the plant exits the soil, it has a fan-like, blade-like or flat structure. TIA drcarl
It looks to be either a Maranta or Stromanthe both in the Marantaceae family. I've never heard them called a "Weather Plant" though. I can't be sure which yours is because your leaves appear to be slightly faded. I want to say it's a Maranta leuconeura kerchoviana or Rabbit's Foot but it's hard to tell. All of these plants require medium light, sunlight will burn the leaf tips and cause them to lose much of their leaf color. Some of these plants are called "Prayer Plants" because of the way their leaves fold together at night.
Most excellent, Wild. You've helped us (and therefore the plant) by narrowing it down to the family and that is a GREAT help. I'll search around the internet more tomorrow for images and other information. Whichever specific plant it is, I know that it'll be happier now. Thinking that I should have shot daytime photos for better color rendition, I just went into the other room to look at them more closely. Damndest thing...all the leaves are pointing straight up at the ceiling! There is no verigation or other colors, it's a solid green. The ribs are slightly pronounced. The photos made the leaves look a little lighter than they really are becuase of the mixed lighting source and lack of lumens for the night shot. Thank you for your help! drcarl (Suquamish)
I think this may be a Ctenanthe species. It looks like one we used to find occasionally in old gardens around Sydney, forming large clumps about 2 ft tall with plain green leaves. The nearest name I could come up with was Ctenanthe compressa, but that may well be wrong.
look up tropical dragon .. thats what that is .. it's a part of the Ctenanthe (sp) family i do beleive.. they need alot of humidity .. they are really neat plants.. Marn
Wow. You are all awesome! So far, surfing the internet (and with the advantage of having the plant right here) THIS matches the plant most closely. When I saw the illustration, I said Bingo! Perhaps I’ll re-shoot it in the daylight. Thank you!
The plant you have is a Bamburanta and the scientific name is Ctenanthe compressa or if you have the giant it's Ctenanthe oppenheimiana. My mother had this plant when I was very young and always called it a weather plant or Bamburanta. It sends up new shoots from the roots so when you repot you will have multiple plants. I have two pots of it now that were off shoots of my mothers plant. Hers never got very tall but one of mine is over 6 feet tall when the leaves are pointed toward the celing. It's a fantastic plant but you do have to stake it up. It does well in low light but does need some to be happy. Direct sun for long periods can damage the leaves. It also gets a sort of flower once in a blue moon. I love it when that happens. I was always told it was from Africa but I read somewhere else that they come from Brazil. I hope you you have as many happy years with your plant as I've had so far with mine!
Hi, Any ideas where I can buy this plant? I've been growing this plant for about 20 years but recently moved. I need to replace it. I'm trying to re-grow the rhizomes. Thanks!! Charles
Thanks, DrCarl, So did I. I'm trying to re-grow from dried-out rhizomes. Saw a bunch at the Chicago Botanical Gardens this weekend. Just ordered from www.stokestropicals.com. Let's see if they send the right plant..... I saw it once in San Jose Costa Rica. They were double height - about 12' high. Never seen that in house/gardens.
