Home › C › Caladium (Derivation of name doubtful)

Caladium (Derivation of name doubtful)

(derivation of name doubtful; probably of Indian origin). ORD. Aroideae (Araceae). Stove perennials, chiefly grown for the beauty and varied hue of their leaves. Spathe hood-like, rolled round at the base; spadix, upper portion entirely covered with stamens, but ultimately becoming bare at the extreme top, provided with blunt glands or sterile stamens in the middle, and ovaries beneath; anthers shield-shaped and one-celled; ovaries numerous, two-celled, with from two to four ascending ovules in each cell. Leaves upon long petioles, more or less sagittate, ovate, and usually very richly coloured. Fruit a one or two-celled berry, with few seeds. They are all of easy culture, and grow freely in a humid atmosphere. In March, when the tubers have been kept dry or rested for some time, they may be started into growth again, in small pots, placed in a stove or pit, where a night temperature of from 60deg. to 65deg. is maintained, and syringed daily once or twice at least. As soon as indications of activity are presented, they may be shifted into 4in., 5in., or 6in. pots, or larger ones may be used if good sized specimens are required. If the tubers should be in large pots, it is best to turn them out, dividing if necessary, and placing all the crowns in small pots, from which they can be removed when root action and growth are resumed, and they require more room. Large tubers, if sound, may be divided, and the pieces placed in pots of such sizes as it is desired to grow them in. Soil. Turfy loam, leaf mould, turfy peat, and a little well decomposed manure, in equal parts (not broken up too fine), with a good sprinkling of sharp sand, form an excellent compost, the whole being well incorporated together. Thorough drainage must be insured, as these plants require an abundance of water. After potting, they should be placed in a stove temperature, and kept well moistened by syringing two or three times daily. If accommodated with mild bottom heat at this time, they will make much freer and more vigorous growth than if otherwise treated. Water sparingly at first, but as soon as the leaves expand, increase the supply; and, when the pots are well filled with roots, apply clear liquid manure at every other time of watering. As the season advances, the temperature and humidity of the house should be increased. During bright sunshine, Caladiums should be slightly shaded for a few hours in the middle of the day, with some thin material, just to break the fierceness of the sun's rays; but the more they are exposed to the light at other times during growth, the brighter, richer, and more beautiful will the foliage be. As soon as the plants have attained a good size, some of them should be placed in the coolest part of the house, and partially hardened off; they may then be taken to the conservatory, allowing them a situation free from currents of cold air, and giving water only when really necessary. They may remain here for some time, but care must be taken to return them to the stove before they suffer from cold.

Small neatly grown specimens make beautiful ornaments for table decoration, and their suitability for exhibition purposes is well known, and largely taken advantage of. Towards autumn, and as the foliage begins to fade, the supply of water should be gradually lessened, until all the leaves die down; the pots should then be placed under the stage in the stove, where they can be looked to now and then, and a little water given if required. By no means allow the tubers to get dried up, as is often done; for, if so, they will frequently rot away inside; whereas, kept in a semi-moist condition, even the most delicate can be preserved. In this state, they may remain until the following season. Caladiums will not endure a very low temperature; from 55deg. to 60deg. is as low as they can be safely kept. Very few of those known as "true species" are grown, being superseded, for general decorative purposes, by the numerous hybrids which have been raised of late, principally from C. bicolor. C. argyrites (silvery).* l. small, sagittate, ground colour light green; centre and margins white, with many irregular white blotches scattered over the remaining portion. Para, 1858. One of the smallest and most elegant of the genus, and much esteemed for table decoration. (I. H. 1858, 185.) C. Baraquinii (Baraquin's). l. from 20in. to 30in. long; centre deep red; margin dark green. Para, 1858. (I. H. 1850, 257.) C. bicolor (two-coloured).* fl., spadix shorter than the hooded spathe, which is contracted in the middle. June. l. peltatecordate, sagittate, coloured in the disk. h. 1ft Brazil, 1773. (B. M. 820.) C. Cannartii (Cannart's). l. green, with pale blotches; veins deep red. Para, 1863.

C. Chantinii (Chantin's).* l. chiefly brilliant crimson, irregularly blotched with white, and margined with dark green. Para, 1858. C. Devosianum (Devosie's).* l. angular, blotched white and pink. Para, 1862. C. esculentum (edible). Synonymous with Colocasia esculenta. C. Hardii (Hardy's). l. red-tinged, slightly spotted with white. Para, 1862. C. Kochii (Koch's).* l. spotted with white. Para, 1862. C. Lemaireanum (Lemaire's).* l. green, with whitish venation. Brazil, 1861. (I. H. 1862, 311.) C. Leopoldi (Prince Leopold's).* l. green, marbled with red, and blotched with pink. Para, 1864.

C. macrophyllum (large-leaved).* l. large, palish green, blotched with greenish-white. Para, 1862.

C. maculatum (spotted).* l. oblong, acuminate, cuspidate cordate at base, finely spotted with clear white. Plant erect, caulescent. South America, 1820. C. marmoratum (marbled).* l. broad, peltate, upwards of 1ft. long, sagittate-ovate, acute or shortly acuminate, the two basal lobes being slightly divergent, dark bottle-green, variegated with greyish or silvery angular spots and blotches; petioles terete, greenish, mottled with purple. Guayaquil. SYN. Alocasia Roezlii. The variety costata differs from the type in having the midrib (or costa) marked out by a tapering band of silver grey. C. Rougieri (Rougier's). l. green, with white spots; the centre pale green, with red veins. Para, 1864.

C. rubronervium (red-nerved). A synonym of C. rubrovenium. C. rubrovenium (red-veined).* l. greyish-green in the centre, with red veins. Para, 1862. SYN. C. rubronervium.

C. sanguinolentum (blood-red blotched).* l. with a white midrib, blotched with red. Amazons, 1872.

C. Schoelleri (Schoeller's). A synonym of C. Schomburgkii. C. Schomburgkii (Schomburgk's).* l. green, with white veins. Brazil, 1861. SYNS. C. Schoelleri and Alocasia argyroneura.

C. S. Schmitzii (Schmitz's). l., centre whitish, with green network; midrib and veins red. 1861. SYN. Alocasia erythraea.

C. sub-rotundum (half-round). l. roundish, spotted with red and white. Brazil. 1858.

C. Verschaffeltii (Verschaffelt's).* l. somewhat heart-shaped; ground colour brilliant green, entire surface irregularly spotted with bright red. Para. C. Wallisii (Wallis's). l. dark olive green, with large irregular shaped spots and blotches of the purest white, and the veins all yellowish-white. Para, 1864.

The following descriptive list of hybrid varieties is, for the most part, a selection from Mr. Bull's catalogue, and contains all of importance: ADOLPHE ADAMS, green leaf-ground, densely speckled with white, and rose-coloured midribs; ADOLPHE AUDRIEN,* a very attractive variety, with fine large richly-coloured foliage; AGRIPPINE DIMITRY, leaves large, with white ground, narrow green margin and veins, and pink centre; ALCIBIADE,* crimson-rayed centre, surrounded with pale green, and blotched with pure white, green margin; ALFRED BLEU, leaves rich green, with pure white spots, and flesh-coloured centre; ALFRED MAME,* carmine-red, bordered with white, and profusely spotted with rose; ALPHAND, green, spotted with red, crimson centre; ALPHONSE KARR, rosy-carmine centre and red spots; ARISTIDE, light green, with crimson centre; AUGUSTE LEMONIER,* fine large leaves, with soft green centre, and rosy-crimson ribs and veins; AUGUSTE RIVIERE, white centre and rays upon a light green ground, with crimson spots; BARILLET,* bright rosy-crimson centre, and ribs on green ground, with broad margin of rich green; BARON DE ROTHSCHILD, rich blood-red centre, and spots, on mottled green leaf-ground; BARONNE JAMES DE ROTHSCHILD,* young leaves of a bright rose colour, the more matured foliage soft rose, with red veins; BARRAL, bright green, with a fine red centre, and large spots of rose; BEETHOVEN,* ground colour white, intersected and veined with green, centre rib delicate rose; BELLEYMEI,* fine white variegated leaves; BELLINI, mottled pale green ground, with rosy centre and spots; BLANQUAERTI, dark green, with grey veins and white spots; BUREL, dark bluish-green, veined bright rose, marked with rosy-violet, and spotted orange-red; CHANTINII FULGENS,* rich dark metallic-green, with attractive crimson centre and white spots; CHELSONI,* bright glossy green, suffused with brilliant red, and blotched with crimson; CLIO, ground colour deep rose, shaded white, green ribs and narrow green margin; DE CANDOLLE,* rich green, with beautiful rose-coloured spots and creamy white centre rays; DE HUMBOLDT, a fine variety, having glossy green leaves, spotted with scarlet; DEVINCK, leaves heart-shaped, delicate pink centre ribs, interspersed with white spots; DR. BOISDUVAL, centre rayed crimson, snow-white blotches on a green ground; DR. LINDLEY,* crimson centre, the green ground marked with rose blotches; DUC DE CLEVELAND, deep red centre, surrounded with pea-green, largely spotted with red; DUC DE MORNY,* deep green leaf borders, with large crimson-rayed centre; DUC DE NASSAU,* brilliant red centre and ribs, white spot on emerald green leaf borders; DUC DE RATIBOR, green ground, with red midribs marked with white spots; DUCHARTRE, leaf-ground white, flushed rose, green veins and red spots; EDOUARD ANDRE, crimson centre, and rose blotches; EDOUARD MOREAUX, mottled green ground, with lake centre; EDOUARD RODRIGUES,* deep carmine, margined with light green, and spotted with rose; E. G. HENDERSON,* green, with transparent rose spots and mottled crimson rays and centre; ELVINA, bright green, blotched with red, grey centre and veins; EMILIE VERDIER,* leaves of a light transparent rose colour, spotted with red; ETOILE D'ARGENT,* bright green, midribs and veins creamy-white, shaded with grey; EUCHARIS, rose centre, with violet reflections, margined with bright green, very fresh and bright looking; FELICIEN DAVID,* centre of leaf dark carmine, surrounded with white and beautifully veined with red on a light green ground; GOLDEN QUEEN, leaves large, pale golden yellow, uniform in colour; GRETRY, carmine centre, with white spots on a dark green ground; HELEVY, white midribs and marked with crimson blotches, on a green ground; HEROLD,* dark carmine veins, surrounded by light green, blotched with pure white, and margined dark green; IBIS ROSE,* a magnificent variety, with beautiful rich rose-coloured foliage, extremely attractive; ISADORA LEROY, rich metallic green, with crimson-red centre rays; JULES DUPLESSIS, bright rose centre, shaded with rich red and bordered with green; JULES PUTZEYS, rich green, with crimson midrib and veins, centre mottled grey, and the whole surface blotched with red; LAINGII,* reddish-carmine centre, surrounded with yellowish-green, the whole of the leaf sprinkled with white; LAMARTINE, deep crimson centre, with white and red spots; LA PERLE DU BRESIL,* exceedingly attractive, large leaves, white, delicately tinted with rose, midrib and veins dark green; LEPLAY, leaves attractively marked with white, and beautifully veined with rosy-violet; LOUISE DUPLESSIS, red rays and veins on a white ground, green margin; LUDDEMANNII,* deep crimson ribs, the leaf blotched with magenta and white, border pea green; MADAME ALFRED BLEU, deep green, with large white blotches, and broad crimson-scarlet veins; MADAME ALFRED MAME, light green, covered with large white spots, rosy-carmine centre; MADAME DE LA DEVANSAYE, leaves white, shaded rose, and veined with red and green; MADAME DOMBRAIN,* centre and ribs pale yellowish-green, shaded rose, surface covered with large white and rose spots; MADAME FRITZ KOECHLIN,* white ground, with violet-rose ribs and green veins, a beautiful dwarf-growing variety; MADAME HEINE,* silvery white, stained and edged with pale green, distinct; MADAME HUNNEBELLE, leaves veined with light garnet colour on a white ground, and margined with green veins; MADAME JULES MENOREAU, fine large leaves, with white centre tinted rose, veined rich bright rose, and margined green; MADAME LAFORGE, centre and ribs reddish-crimson, with green margin; MADAME MARJOLIN SCHEFFER,* a beautiful variety, with white foliage, charmingly veined and netted with pure rosy-lake; MADAME WILLAUME, a charming variety, with transparent leaves, of a delicate salmon-rose colour; MARQUIS DE CAUX, red centre and veins, with rose blotches on margins; MARTERSTYGINUM, crimson centre and white spots; MERCADANTE, pale copper-coloured centre and veins, bordered with green; MEYERBEER,* white leaf-ground, green veins, and red midribs; MINERVE,* silvery white midrib and rays, surrounded with greyish white, green margin, with snowy white spots; MITHRIDATE, ground colour crimson-lake, with darker ribs, and dark bronze-green margin; MONSIEUR A. HARDY, rich reddish-carmine veins on white ground, tinted with rose and spotted with green; MONSIEUR J. LINDEN,* a fine large whitish leaf, with metallic reflections, coral-rose veins, and reticulated green border; MRS. LAING,* white ground, deep rose centre and veins, green margin; MURILLO,* centre and veins metallic-red, with large crimson blotches, broad margin of lustrous bronzy-green; NAPOLEON III.,* flamed crimson centre, with forked rays, and carmine spots on green ground; ONSLOW, deep rosy-crimson centre, with broad green margin, spotted with rose; PAILLET, crimson centre, broad green margin, splashed with crimson, and dotted with white; PAUL VERONESSE, large leaves, with pinkish-white centre, deep scarlet ribs, and broad green margin; PHILIPPE HERBERT, deep mottled crimson rays, and clear white margin, spotted with crimson; PICTUM, green blotched, and spotted with white; PRINCE ALBERT,* dark emerald green, rich crimson midrib, radiating from centre to margins, the intervening spaces spotted with white; PRINCE OF WALES,* a very handsome variety, with large golden-yellow leaves; PRINCESS ALEXANDRA,* rosy-salmon leaf, green centre rib, bordered with magenta-crimson, green margin, with light pink chain; PRINCESS OF TECK,* ground colour bright orange-yellow, the veins suffused with deep red; PRINCESS ROYAL, leaves of a golden ground, with crimson centre; PYRRHUS, centre and ribs deep crimson, pea-green margins; QUADRICOLOR, centre of leaf pale yellowish-green, ribs white, edged rosy-crimson, and margined green; RAMSAU, centre and ribs deep reddish-crimson, surface covered with white blotches, shaded red; RAULINII, rich red centre and veins, finely spotted with white; REGALE, silvery grey centre, rosy-red ribs, spotted with vermilion-red; REINE MARIE DE PORTUGAL,* violet-rose centre, with red veins, dark maroon zone, and green border, very handsome; REINE VICTORIA,* green veins and margins, spotted or marbled with white and rich crimson; ROSSINI, large leaf, with pale centre, pink midribs, and red blotches; ROUILLARD, glossy green margin, pale green centre, midrib and rays rich violet-plum, the whole leaf spotted crimson; SANCHONIANTHON, crimson centre, deep glossy crimson ribs, and pea-green margin; SIEBOLDII, rich green, with flery-red crimson-rayed centre, green spaces, spotted with claret red; SOUVENIR DE MADAME E. ANDRE,* large deep green leaves, marbled with pure white, veins fine rosy crimson; SPONTINI, pea-green, with white spots, and rosy-pink ribs and veins; THIBAUTII, fine large leaf, with rich crimson veins on a red ground; TRICOLOR, edges of leaves grey-green, intersected with dark green, centre red-lake, carmine midribs; TRIOMPHE DE L'EXPOSITION,* crimson centre, with red ribs, and green border; VERDI, crimson-lake centre with small green zone and apple-green margin; VESTA, greenish-white veins, surrounded with crimson, the whole of the leaf spotted bright rose; VICOMTESSE DE LA ROQUE-ORDAN, red midrib, and rays bordered with white, the margin beautiful emerald green; VILLE DE MULHOUSE, a beautiful variety, with greenish-white leaves, shaded rose, and rich green centre; VIRGINALE,* clear shining white, veined with dark bluish-green, a handsome variety.