Peacock Plant, Cathedral Windows

Calathea makoyana E. Morr.  ‘Burle Marx’

ka-la-THEE-ah mak-koy-AH-nuh

(Pronunciation note:   Although some sources use the pronunciation ka-LAY-the-ah, STD, who we take to be the ultimate authority, uses ka-la-THEE-ah)

Marantaceae

Explanation of name: Calathea comes from Greek kalathos for basket (STD). Specific epithet for Jacob Makoy Lambert, 19^th century sponsor of plant collecting trips to Brazil.

Natural Range:  Brazil (DAV)

Recognition: Grown for foliage.  Evergreen and herbaceous with chartreuse-yellow and burgundy smooth mottled textured leaves. Dark green leaf border, leaf veins dark green with associated dark green bands. These bands purple on the leaf underside.

Landscape uses: Used in interiorscaping and can be grown outside in a shade protected area. ‘Burl Marx’ can be used as a groundcover but will be too sensitive to environmental conditions for most outdoor applications.  According to HOL, easier to establish post-division than other Calatheas. The leaves fold up at night.