About Calathea crotalifera S.Watson
Calathea crotalifera, commonly called the rattlesnake plant, rattle shaker, or cascabel, is a flowering plant species in the Marantaceae family. This species is native to central and southern Mexico, Central America, and tropical South America, reaching as far south as Ecuador; it has also been introduced to Hawai'i and Puerto Rico. It is a rhizomatous perennial herb, with banana-shaped leaves that can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall. It typically grows in wet tropical habitats. It is grown as an ornamental plant. Its flowers, which are yellow or sometimes pink, are arranged in spikes that reach up to 40 cm (16 inches) high. Each individual flower is covered at its base by a saucer-shaped yellow bract. Like flowers of the genus Canna, the flowers of Calathea crotalifera have a single petal-shaped stamen that holds just one locule.
