During the New Year holiday, several Calathea zebrina, commonly known as zebra plants, blossomed in the Rare Plant Greenhouse of Chenshan Botanical Garden. The visitors lingered to view the flowers, which resemble ice cream in both shape and texture.

Calathea zebrina, native to Brazil, belong to the Marcantaceae division of the Calathea genus herb. They grow 0.5 to 1 meter high and have velvet-like leaves trimmed with dark green and olive-colored stripes. Its oval flower grows on the scape; each scape has one flower. The zebra plant’s flower stands out among others thanks to its rose-like shape. Its color, texture and form resemble ice cream. What’s more, different colors are displayed depending on whether it is blossoming or withering, starting milky white, later becoming ivory yellow, and finally pink to pansy.

Zebra plants are accustomed to humid and warm climates and thrive in the rainforest environment of the exhibition greenhouse in Chenshan. The plants struck visitors by surprise – producing ice cream-like flowers – during the New Year holiday.

Zebra plants delight guests in Chenshan

Zebra plants delight guests in Chenshan