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Rattlesnake Calathea

Calathea sp.

Photo by LaurenZarate
Published on Project Noah
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18.9052, -97.0125

Field Notes

Description:

This looks like some kind of weird Heliconia plant but the flowering stalk resembles the rattle of a Rattlesnake, with tiny flowers peeking out. However, it is a species of Calathea in the Marantaceae family. It might be C. crotalifera, known as the Red Rattle, for it's resemblance to a rattlesnake rattle.

Habitat:

River ravine of the Corazon de Fortin, Fortin de Las Flores, Veracruz, Mexico.

Notes:

These pictures were taken by my husband Renato Zárate while we were exploring the ravine.

Reference Links:

Calathea crotalifera 'Red Rattle'

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
LarryGraziano
They could be the same. I am not sure. I am not a great Calathea I.D'er. i think Calathea sp is just fine for now.
LaurenZarate
Thank you Larry for all the information. It is fascinating. It might be Calathea crotalifera, the Red Rattle? The picture in the link below looks very much the same, only taken from the back side? http://www.montosogardens.com/calathea_crotalifera_red_rattle.htm.
LarryGraziano
Well, that was a real good guess Lauren. This is in the same family as the Rattlesnake plant. However it isn't a heliconia. It is a Calathea. Calatheas are in the Marantaceae family and Heliconia are in the Heliconiaceae. They both share the same order Zingiberales. Many Calathea will trick you into thinking they are a heliconia because their foliage is quite similar. Once they bloom they will always show they are not a heliconia as the flowers are quite different. I wish I could tell you which species but I am not sure

Spotted for Missions

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Flowers of Oceania
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Mexico Horn of Plenty
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Biodiversidad de las Altas Montañas

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Photographed
PublishedMarch 12, 2013

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