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Gonatopus boivinii (Decne.) Engl.
| Family Name: | Araceae |
| Common Name: | Giraffe's knee, Sand forest arum |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
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Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Zaire, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Natal |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Tuberous herb producing a solitary leaf to 1.2m tall |
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| Foliage | Leaf solitary, tri-pinnate. Leaflets to 5 (6)cm long by 2.5(3)cm wide, mid - dark green, venation distinct. Petiole with distinct, 'knee like' swollen zones, usually dull greyish silver with olive green mottling and dark brown- black spots, in some specimens completely pale green without spots/ mottling. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence to 20(30)cm tall, appearing together with the solitary leaf. Adaxial surface of spathe (facing the spadix) cream - white, in some specimens with dull olive green streaks or mottling. Abadxial surface of spathe cream, densely mottled with olive green - brown streaks and spots . Spadix cream - white. |
| Habitat | In sandy forests and deciduous woodlands |
| Etymology | This species is named after Louis Boivin, a French botanical collector. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap, Invasive / Potentially Invasive |
| Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks | Fallen leaves from this species are able to regenerate into new plants/ tubers under local conditions. As such, this species is not recommended for planting in areas near nature reserves as it run wild. Avoid contact with the sap as it may cause skin irritation in certain individuals. Keep plants away from children and pets as sap could be toxic. |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Occasional Misting, [Remarks] (Plants may go dormant periodically. When the leaves turn yellow and wither, watering should be reduced to allow the plant to enter the resting stage. Watering frequency can be increased once new shoots are produced. ) |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Easy to Grow |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Leaf Cutting, Storage Organ |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thin |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Brown, Cream / Off-White, Green, White |
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| Flower Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Inflorescence Type | Spathe & Spadix |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31168 |
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| Species ID | 5562 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |