Caladium

Caladium bicolor variety of ' Florida Sweetheart'

The Kaladien ( Caladium ) are a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae ( Araceae ).

The genus Caladium includes about seven species, which are originally native to tropical South and Central America. Since the late 18th century, in particular the nature Caladium bicolor (stained root ) is grown in Europe and North America. Before the Second World War were already more than 1000 varieties known.

Description

Caladium species and varieties are perennial herbaceous plants. You have tubers as outlasting. The basal, stalked leaves are shield -, arrow - or lance-shaped.

In at least one species (C. steudneriifolium ) the variegation of the leaves seems to serve as a mimicry for protection from predators.

Caladium are monoecious getrenntgeschlechtig ( monoecious ). There shall be typical of the Araceae inflorescences: with male and female flowers enveloped in a flask by a spathe.

Types (selection)

There are about seven ( to 14) types:

  • Caladium bicolor ( Aiton ) Vent. (Syn.: C. marmoratum Mathieu, C. picturatum C. Koch, C. × hortulanum Birdsey ), also called elephant ear or angel wings, Origin: Ecuador
  • Caladium humboldtii Schott, Origin: Venezuela, Brazil
  • Caladium lindenii ( André ) Madison, Origin: Colombia
  • Caladium schomburgkii Schott, Origin: Guyana, Brazil
  • Caladium steudneriifolium Engler, Origin: Colombia

Documents

  • Short description, thoughts on the systematics and distribution.
  • Walter Erhardt et al: The big walleye. Encyclopedia of plant names. Volume 2 Eugen Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart, 2008. ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7
Aroideae
153605
de