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xiphidium

Scientific Name: Xiphidium

Family: Haemodoraceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Xiphidium caeruleum

Xiphidium is a genus of herbs in the family Haemodoraceae. The species Xiphidium caeruleum is a neotropical member of this family. It is native to tropical regions of the Western Hemisphere, ranging from southern Mexico to South America.

Common Names

  • Cola de Paloma (Spanish)
  • Walk Fast (English)
  • Swordleaf Xiphidium
  • Palmita
  • Soskia
  • Manito de Dios (Spanish)
  • Poderosa (Spanish)
  • Mano Poderosa (Spanish)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Xiphidium caeruleum Aubl.
  • Family: Haemodoraceae
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms:
    • Xiphidium coeruleum
    • Xiphidium album
    • Xiphidium ceruleum
    • Ixia xiphidium Loefl.
    • Excremis scabra Kuntze

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to tropical America, specifically from southern Mexico to South America.
  • Found in the Hispaniolas and Mesoamerica.
  • Grows in the understory.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Herbaceous plant, typically growing to a height of 15-200 cm.
  • Possesses horizontally creeping rhizomes that are white to brownish-red inside, ranging from 4-20 cm in length and up to 10 mm in diameter.
  • Has fibrous roots and stolons that are 5-55 cm long and capable of rooting.
  • Narrow, linear leaves arranged in a fan shape that bends gracefully to form a fountain-like structure.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Flowers are adapted for buzz pollination.

Quirky Facts

  • One of the common names is "Walk Fast," added by C. Michael Hogan.

Further Information

  • iNaturalist.org
  • Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
  • The Plant List
  • IPNI (International Plant Names Index)
  • Australian Plant Name Index
  • NYBG (New York Botanical Garden) Virtual Herbarium
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Flora of Barro Colorado Island by Thomas Croat