Peltandra Virginsky

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

Virginia Peltandra (lat. Peltandra virginica) - a thermophilic plant from the Aroid family.

Description

Peltandra virginsky is a perennial, short rhizomes of which constantly form a huge number of fibrous roots. No wonder the translation of its name from Greek sounds like "thyroid anthers".

The leaves of this plant almost always develop simultaneously with luxurious inflorescences, and the length of the leaf petioles of the virginian peltandra is almost always three times the length of its pretty leaf blades. The leaf blades themselves are always quite fleshy, are distinguished by an arrow-shaped or spear-shaped shape and grow in length from ten to seventy-five centimeters. The width of their middle lobes near the bases is about 7 - 20 centimeters, and the lateral lobes are usually two to three times shorter.

The flower-bearing stalks of the Virginia peltandra are almost always longer than the petioles, and its cylindrical cobs are formed by unisexual flowers devoid of perianths. Pistillate flowers are located in the lower parts of the cobs, and slightly higher are the tallow flowers. The tops of the ears are sterile. As a rule, Virginia peltandra blooms either in late spring or at the very beginning of summer.

The fruits of this plant are compact green berries containing a single seed surrounded by mucus.

In nature, there are four varieties of Virginia peltandra, distributed mainly in North America, more precisely, in its southern and Atlantic regions.

Where grows

Most often, the Virginia peltandra can be found in swamps and in picturesque shallow waters in warm-temperate and subtropical climatic zones. And this plant has been cultivated for a very long time - since the distant 1759.

Usage

Large arrow-shaped shiny leaves of Virginia Peltandra are an excellent decoration for the shores of lakes and shallow ponds in the southern regions of Russia. This plant is especially well suited for the design of slow-flowing or stagnant reservoirs (streams, etc.). This moisture-loving beauty is perfectly combined with many other plants and does not creep at all. In short, its dense thickets look incredibly impressive.

Growing and caring

To grow this beautiful plant, it is best to select swampy shores and shallow waters. Sunny areas will be especially suitable - this beauty cannot stand shadow at all. Virginia peltandra is usually planted in the spring, deepening it by about forty centimeters. As for the soil, it is highly desirable that they be fertile. Planting in containers is considered to be the most convenient option for planting Virginia peltandra - in this form, the plant will be much easier to harvest for the winter. But it is considered possible to plant it in the ground only on the Black Sea coast.

This plant overwinters at rather low, but still positive temperatures, in moist soil in cellars or in reservoirs of winter gardens - in the ground it can winter only on the aforementioned Black Sea coast.

Virginia peltandra reproduces by dividing the rhizomes in the spring - it is carried out immediately, as soon as the green beauty starts to grow. However, it is easily propagated with the help of seeds.

This plant does not need special care, and it is also practically not affected by pests and all kinds of ailments.

The only thing that needs to be taken into account when working with Virginia peltandra is to be careful: the juice of this moisture-loving beauty can provoke allergic reactions.