Caladium in flower - up close

26 Oct, 2009
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The flower of a caladium consists of a spathe (the fleshy outer covering) and a spadix (the conical inner stalk that contains the male and female flowers).

The male flowers are at the tip of the spadix, a sterile area of tissue is in the middle, and the female flowers are at the base.

Caladiums are “protogynous”, which means that the female flowers are receptive before the male flowers shed their pollen. This is why you rarely observe seed on your caladium flowers. The female flowers have to be pollinated from pollen of another flower on the plant or another plant.

Comments on this photo

Pipsqueak

Fascinating, Bernieh. The flower is beautiful in its simplicity

26 Oct, 2009

Bernieh

Totally agree Pipsqueak - I just love it when they're blooming.

26 Oct, 2009

Morgana

I agree with Pipsqueak lovely photo too

26 Oct, 2009

Clarice

i agree aswell.

26 Oct, 2009

Rkalyan

It looks like its part of the peace lily family,flower looks like a peace lily flower

28 Oct, 2009

Bernieh

Yes Rkalyan, it's amazing how similar they look - I've got quite a few peace lilies growing as well and the flowers on both have the same structure.

28 Oct, 2009

Delonix1

Yes, all the Arum or family Araceae have very similiar flowers...this is how plants are botanically classified
(or taxa are classified).

30 Oct, 2009

Bernieh

So that would include the philodendrons as well then Andy - they have a similar structure to their flower. Don't really know much about the classification - but I'm learning since I joined this site.

30 Oct, 2009

Delonix1

Bernieh:

Yes, that's correct. A few examples of genera in the Araceae are: Monstera, Philodendron, Aglaonema, Anthurium, Alocasia, Colocasia, Epipremnum, Xanthosoma, Syngonium...and the list goes on
and on.

30 Oct, 2009

Bernieh

Thanks for that Andy - always fascinating learning about these plants.

30 Oct, 2009

Delonix1

Bernieh:

You're welcome! : > )

30 Oct, 2009

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