Calathea G.F.W. Meyer
Primit. Fl. Essequebonensis: 6-7 (1818); Andersson, Nord. J. Bot. 1: 237-238 (1981); Kennedy, Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 71 (1978); Kennedy, Fl. Ecuad. 32:14-136 (1988).

Description:
     Rosulate herbs. Inflorescence simple or a sparsely to moderately branched synflorescence; florescences usually coarsely spiciform to capitate, spathes distichous or spiral. Cymules brachyblastic or, exceptionally, subbrachyblastic or dolichoblastic, interphyll usually present, bracteoles usually present, 1-4 per cymule, glandular, scale- or sheathlike, or ribbon-shaped and claviculate. Corolla tube 5-25 times longer than wide, rarely longer; outer staminode 1, rarely 0, petaloid; ovary with 3 ovulate locules. Fruit dehiscent, seeds arillate. (From Kubitzki, et al., p. 288)

Geographical Distribution:
     Calathea is found all over the humid American tropics.

Taxonomic Diversity:
     Calaathea comprises of about 300 species and is parphyletic. Taxonomists are dividing this genus.