ABSTRACT
Calathea crocata Morr, et Joris, belongs to the Marantaceae and was introduced from Brazil to Europe in 1874 by Jacob-Makoy from Liege, Belgium. Plants grow continuously, and even axillary shoots without a fully developed leaf blade may form an inflorescence. Flowering depends on daylength and temperature. Preliminary results from greenhouse experiments during summer indicate that under 8 hr short-day treatment flowering was induced from July until September. With daylight periods of more than 11.5 hr, however, the number of spikes per plant decreased rapidly. Growth chamber experiments at different constant temperatures showed that optimum flowering occurred at 18 to 20°, both lower and higher temperatures inhibited flower formation. Leaves grow from a rhizomelike, often-rooted stem standing in a tuft on 5- to 8-cm-long sheathed petioles. Leaf blades are 10 to 15 cm long, erect, ovate-lanceolate, and somewhat undulate.
