Aglaonema

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Aglaonema (lat. Aglaonema) - a genus of herbaceous evergreens or evergreen dwarf shrubs, donated to nature by the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Plants of the genus belong to the Aroid family, or Aronnikovye (Latin Araceae). They are distinguished by large leathery leaves, the bright surface of which has decorative spots or stripes that turn the leaf plate into a real miraculous work of art. As for flowering, the cob inflorescences of small flowers are not of interest to the viewer, and therefore fans of plants of the Aglaonema genus grow them for the sake of picturesque leaves. In regions with a temperate climate, plants of the genus are grown as houseplants.

Description

The erect stem of the plant is short and does not branch. If the stem is creeping, then it begins to branch, take root at the nodes, taking root and expanding the area occupied by the plant.

Large leaves sit on strong and long stalks, forming a lush crown of the plant. The shape of the leaf plate is most often oval-ellipsoidal. The leaves are picturesque with veins fanning out from the central main vein to the edges of the leaf plate, sometimes forming small denticles along the edge and giving the leaf the appearance of a convex surface.

The variety of colors and patterns on the leaf surface is so numerous that, perhaps, it is impossible to find two leaves with the same pattern on one plant. In coloring miraculous pictures, in addition to the green color of all sorts of shades, silver, red of different shades, yellow, violet …

The inflorescence has a very peculiar veil that protects the ear-shaped inflorescence, formed by small monoecious flowers. The female part of the inflorescence is quantitatively inferior to the male one, located in the lower zone of the cob-inflorescence.

The growing cycle ends with the birth of fruits, which are oval-shaped berries with a fleshy outer layer. As if trying to justify the inconspicuousness of the inflorescences, the berries are usually brightly colored and can be red, yellow or white.

Plants of the genus Aglaonema are characterized by slow growth, and therefore do not require a lot of space in the room.

Varieties

* Aglaonema changeable (lat. Aglaonema commutatum) - many varieties have been bred, differing from each other in the number of spots on the leaves, colored in a silvery color of varying intensity.

The most popular variety among gardeners is "Silver Queen" with long bright green leaves, the surface of which is decorated with silvery spots. The higher the temperature and illumination of the place where the “queen” grows, the larger the silvery spots become, sometimes turning the entire surface of the leaf into “silver”.

This grade is inferior to the "Silver King". As a true gentleman, he does not strive for lush forms, forming a more compact bush, and also has a lighter pattern on the surface of the leaf plate.

* Aglaonema modest, or moderate (lat. Aglaonema modestum) - the Google translator translated the Latin specific epithet as "gentle", which is quite consistent with this species with monochromatic green leaves, which, despite their leatheriness, create a very gentle impression. The plant is suitable for aquariums.

* Aglaonema simple (lat. Aglaonema simplex) - has a synonym name, Alpine Aglaonema. Differs in thick fleshy roots, solid green leaves, the reverse side of which is a lighter green shade. Although the leaves are considered evergreen, they do not live very long, dropping off and leaving the stem naked. The plant is suitable for aquariums.

* Aglaonema tricolor (lat. Aglaonema pictum) - the leaves of this type combine three colors at once on one leaf plate in the form of spots, stripes, strokes or dots. It can be green with three contrasting shades, or green combined with red, yellow, white, purple, silver.