| Classification |
| Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order Type: Basal Angiosperms-Monocots
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Marantaceae
Family Common Name: Prayer Plant Family
Genera: Maranta |
Defining Features: The leaf
bases contain a "pulvinus", a structure that helps the leaf orientate
itself to light sources throughout the day. In the evening, the pulvinus
may cause the leaves to roll up, or fold closed, giving the family the
common name of 'Prayer Plant'.
Defining Morphology: Floral
Features: Flowers are bisexual and zygomorphic. Inflorescences are, of
small two-flowered cymes borne in panicles or spikes. Ovaries are inferior
with axile placentation. Fruit and Seed Features: Monocotyledon. Fruit
a berry or loculicidal capsule. Seed with an aril and endosperm is present.
Vegetative Features: Habit as perennial herbs from a tuberous rhizome.
Leaves are simple, alternate, two-ranked with entire margin. Petiole sheathing
at the base and sometimes has wings. Leaf with swollen pulvinus at base.
Distribution: Pantropical,
with most in the New World tropics and some in the southeastern U.S. Not
in Australia.
Economic Use: The rhizome
of Maranta arundinacea contains a starch that is known as
arrowroot and is easily digestible. The leaves of some species are used
for basket and thatch material; some species are cultivated as foliage
houseplants or garden ornamentals.
Number of Genera Globally: 30
Number of Species Globally: 450
