Calathea burle-marxii flowers versus bracts

What most people think is the flower in Calathea burle-marxii is actually the flower bract. If you look at the two photos below you can see the flowers of Calathea  burle-marxii in "Blue-ice" and "Green ice". In Blue -ice the flowers are practically the same colour as the bract while in "Green-Ice" they are yellow.

Calathea burle-marxii "Green-Ice" at Tanumalala, Samoa 2013

Calathea burle-marxii "Blue-Ice" at Alafua, Samoa 2013

Unfortunately I have yet to come across a Calathea burle-marxii "White-Ice" but from what I have seen in photos, the flowers are white as is the bract.

Calathea burle-marxii "Green-Ice" at Tanumalala, Samoa 2013

Calathea burle-marxii "Green-Ice" at Tanumalala, Samoa 2013

This plant at Tanumalala was planted in full sun. Although it was growing well if you look closely you will notice sun spots on the leaves.

References:

Calathea burle-marxii entry in National Tropical Botanical Garden


Calathea entry in Wikipedia

Marantaceae entry in Wikipedia




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