Stromanthe

Stromanthe sanguinea Sond.

strow-MAN-the san-GWIN-ee-ah

Marantaceae

Explanation of names: Stromanthe from Greek stroma, bed, and anthos, flower (STD). Sanguinea refers to blood.

Natural ranges: Tropical America

Recognition Leaves in a flat, fanlike arrangement with green above and purple below. Resembles Maranta arundinacea, but this does not have the reddish coloration in the variegation seen in Stromanthe. (Maranta may be white-green variegated.) And Maranta has its flowers in an open, loose arrangement, in contrast with “cones” on Stromanthe.

Landscape uses: Interiorscaping, containers, protected

Internet source: http://www.flowers.org.uk/plants/facts/s-z/stromanthe.htm