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marantochloa
Scientific Name: Marantochloa cuspidata
Family: Marantaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Marantochloa: An Overview
The genus Marantochloa belongs to the family Marantaceae. It was first described as a genus in 1860.
Considerations for Pets
- Some species are herbaceous, growing to a height of 1.5-3.0 m.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Marantochloa
- Family: Marantaceae
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Taxonomic Rank: Genus, Species
- Synonyms: Marantochloa flexuosa (Benth.) Hutch., Clinogyne comorensis (Brongn. ex Gris) H. Perrier
- Some accepted species names: Marantochloa comorensis Brongn. & Gris., Marantochloa congensis (K. Schum. ) J.Leonard & Mullend., Marantochloa cordifolia ( K.Sckum. ) Koechl., Marantochloa cuspidata (Roscoe) Milne-Redh., Marantochloa leucantha (K.Schum.) Milne-Redh., Marantochloa mannii, Marantochloa mildbraedii, Marantochloa purpurea (Ridl.) Milne-Redh.
- Alternative Scientific Names: Calathea mannii
Distribution and Habitat
- Marantochloa is native to tropical Africa and islands in the Indian Ocean.
- Specific locations include Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Sierra Leone, DR Congo, Burundi, Cabinda, East Tropical Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Northeast Tropical Africa, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Tropical Africa, Angola, and West Tropical Africa (Ghana).
- It is often found in forest habitats.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Marantochloa cuspidata is a slightly-branched perennial plant growing up to 2 meters tall.
- Marantochloa purpurea is an evergreen, perennial rhizomatous herbaceous species with ramified stems, forming dense clusters ranging from 1 to 4 meters.
- Some species are shrub-shaped plants, usually 1-3 m tall.
- Leaves of some species like Marantochloa mannii, can be purple-suffused, even up to 40 cm long and 20 cm broad.
- Most plants belonging to the Marantochloa are branching herbs (grows to 1.5-3.0 m) with oval leaves.
Ecological Role
- The genus includes branching herbs that can grow up to 1.5-3.0 m.
Traditional Uses
- The leaves of Marantochloa cuspidata are widely used in wrapping food in African communities, believed to enhance the taste. They are also used as cornmeal wrappers.
- A decoction of Marantochloa purpurea leaves is used in some recipes.
Genetic Information
- Partial sequences of the trnC-pet1N intergenic spacer of chloroplast DNA have been analyzed for Marantochloa incertifolia.
- Phylogenies of major African clades (Sarcophrynium and the Marantochloa clade) have been established based on nuclear data.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Some species, such as Marantochloa cordifotie and M. purpurea, are eaten by gorillas.
- In Kanyawara, Marantochloa leucantha is an herb whose pith is eaten.
Quirky Facts
- Leaves of Marantochloa cuspidata are believed to enhance the taste of foods when used as wrappers.
Resources and Further Information
- The Plant List
- IPNI (International Plant Names Index)
- Australian Plant Name Index
- Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
- IUCN Red List: http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2004.RLTS.T46198A11036248.en
- EOL (Encyclopedia of Life)