Calathea Rattlesnake

Plant Bio

Calathea lancifolia, the Rattlesnake Calathea, is a colorful member of the prayer plant family, Marantaceae. Calatheas are often called 'prayer plants' because of their unique leaf movements: they raise and lower their leaves from day to night as a part of their circadian rhythm. This phenomenon is called nyctinasty. Plant movements are controlled by a flux of water pressure in the pulvini - nodes at the base of the leaves. Scientists theorize that these movements are meant to follow the sun and catch as much light as possible –– an essential trait for a forest-floor-dwelling plant!