What are Marantaceae?
Almost everyone probably knows the 'Calathea' from the garden center or nowadays even the supermarket or hardware store.
But where do they actually originate from?
And what makes this plant family so special?
What exactly are Marantaceae?
Marantaceae is one of eight plant families within the order of Zingiberales, which also includes, among others, the banana family (Musaceae) and the bird-of-paradise family (Strelitziaceae).
According to our research, the marantaceae family now includes 33 genera and a total of over 500 species.
The genera relevant here as houseplants are:
Goeppertia (formerly 'Calathea'), Maranta, Stromanthe und Ctenanthe.
Overview of all genera of the marantaceae family
Where are there natural occurrences?
Marantaceae are found in all tropical regions except in Australia, that is, in the regions of the Neotropics and Paleotropics.
rough overview of the natural range
Here, the arrowroot family grows in the shady undergrowth of the rainforests.
What properties/characteristics do Marantaceae have?
As the name of the order 'Zingiberales' suggests, Marantaceae form rhizomes.
Rhizomes in prayer plants can be imagined as a finely tuberous basic framework from which the stems of the plant then grow and on which the plant can also be devided - like a thin ginger root, very simply said, and not like, for example, in alocasias, where rhizomes look like very small potatoes.
Furthermore, contrary to what many people believe, Marantaceae are flowering plants. They are often even sold as 'green plants'.
In one's own home - depending on conditions and type - probably a bit less frequently observed, the inflorescences often hide well between the stems and under the leaves in the lower part of the plants.
Inflorescence of Goeppertia "Silver Plate" Inflorescence of Goeppertia "Veitchiana"
The inflorescence of Goeppertia 'Silver Plate' (left side) extends above the foliage here, while the bloom of Goeppertia 'Veitchiana' (right side) lies well below the leaves.
In addition, the inflorescence usually grows out of an already existing leaf stalk and rarely directly from the rhizome.
Even though Marantaceae are known for their magnificent foliage, it is sometimes truly important to also see/know their flowers. Identifying prayer plants solely based on their leaves can indeed be quite a challenge.
The inflorescence is therefore not only a joyful sign for the owner that the plant is visibly thriving, but the flowers are also an important indicator for identifying a plant (or its species).
All Marantaceae have in common that they move their leaves according to a day-night rhythm or are constantly in motion during the day. In the evening, they fold their leaves completely up to 'sleep' or 'pray', which is why they are also called 'prayer plants'.
The so-called pulvinus is responsible for the ability to move the leaves in such a way.
This is like a kind of joint (thickened area) between the leaf stalk and the leaf base, whose cells can control the movements of the leaf.
The pulvinus also often differs in color from the petiole and leaf.
Phrynium sp. / 'Calathea Glaza' Goeppertia Majestica 'Whitestar'
Left: Phrynium sp. (purchased as 'Calathea Glaza') clearly shows the pulvinus with the red coloring. Right: Goeppertia 'Whitestar' with a light gray-green pulvinus, while the leaf stem is dark green.
It has been scientifically explained how prayer plants can move their leaves, but why they do so remains unclear to this day.
Interesting for pet owners to know: All members of the marantaceae family are non-toxic to animals.
What are the uses of Marantaceae?
We all know about the decorative value of prayer plants, but perhaps few realize that Marantaceae also have practical uses.
Here are a few examples:
Arrowroot starch/flour is made from the rhizome of Maranta Arundinacea, which can also be purchased locally and used to thicken various dishes without them becoming cloudy - unlike with oder starchy products.
Thaumatin, a natural sweetener, is obtained from Thaumatococcus daniellii (also called 'Katamfe') by extracting it from the seed coat of fruits using water.
The Leaves of Calathea Lutea (among other Calatheas) are used, for example, as wrapping paper for transporting food, for making baskets and containers, or even for roofing.
The closed flowers of Goeppertia Macrosepala (a mexican species) are cooked and eaten like vegetables, for example as a soup ingredient or side dish to other meals. Visually, they somewhat remind me of green asparagus tips.
The tubers of Goeppertia Allouia (also 'Lerén') are also often cooked and are said to taste similar to sweet corn.
Here is the link to our blog overview if you want to learn more.
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