How to Identify Marantaceae

Marantaceae is a plant family in the Plantae kingdom, order Zingiberales, class Liliopsida. The family contains 25 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Marantaceae Species

How to identify Goeppertia roseopicta (Linden ex Lem.) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia roseopicta (Linden ex Lem.) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia roseopicta (Linden ex Lem.) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia roseopicta is a common tender houseplant from northwestern Brazil, gr…

How to identify Ctenanthe burle-marxii H.Kenn.

Ctenanthe burle-marxii H.Kenn.

Ctenanthe burle-marxii H.Kenn.

Ctenanthe burle-marxii, the fishbone prayer plant, is a Brazilian native Maranta…

How to identify Goeppertia veitchiana (Veitch ex Hook.f.) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia veitchiana (Veitch ex Hook.f.) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia veitchiana (Veitch ex Hook.f.) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia veitchiana is an endemic Ecuadorian flowering plant in the Marantacea…

How to identify Maranta arundinacea L.

Maranta arundinacea L.

Maranta arundinacea L.

Maranta arundinacea, or arrowroot, is a perennial crop grown for its edible rhiz…

How to identify Goeppertia loeseneri (J.F.Macbr.) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia loeseneri (J.F.Macbr.) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia loeseneri (J.F.Macbr.) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia loeseneri, or Brazilian star calathea, is an ornamental Marantaceae s…

How to identify Thalia dealbata Fraser

Thalia dealbata Fraser

Thalia dealbata Fraser

Thalia dealbata is a North American aquatic ornamental plant in Marantaceae know…

How to identify Maranta leuconeura É.Morren

Maranta leuconeura É.Morren

Maranta leuconeura É.Morren

Maranta leuconeura, commonly called the prayer plant, is a popular tropical hous…

How to identify Calathea crotalifera S.Watson

Calathea crotalifera S.Watson

Calathea crotalifera S.Watson

Calathea crotalifera is a rhizomatous perennial flowering plant in the Marantace…

How to identify Donax canniformis (G.Forst.) K.Schum.

Donax canniformis (G.Forst.) K.Schum.

Donax canniformis (G.Forst.) K.Schum.

Donax is a monotypic flowering plant genus in Marantaceae, with its only species…

How to identify Thalia geniculata L.

Thalia geniculata L.

Thalia geniculata L.

Thalia geniculata is a widespread plant native to tropical Africa and much of th…

How to identify Goeppertia picturata (K.Koch & Linden) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia picturata (K.Koch & Linden) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia picturata (K.Koch & Linden) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia picturata is a Marantaceae evergreen perennial native to northwest Br…

How to identify Goeppertia latifolia (Willd. ex Link) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia latifolia (Willd. ex Link) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia latifolia (Willd. ex Link) Borchs. & S.Suárez

Goeppertia latifolia is a Marantaceae plant native to the neotropics, used for f…

Browse all 25 Marantaceae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Marantaceae?

Marantaceae plants belong to the Zingiberales order in the Plantae kingdom. Maranta leuconeura leaves have a distinctive habit: they lie flat during the day, and fold into an erect position at night, as if praying for evening vespers. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Marantaceae?

Marantaceae is classified in the order Zingiberales, class Liliopsida, phylum Tracheophyta. The family contains 25 accepted species worldwide.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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