Cutflower Nomenclature

Scientific/Botanical Name:

Genus: Dieffenbachia

Specie: D. picta

Variety/Cultivar:

English Name:

 

Common Name:

dumb cane, Dieffenbachia

Botanical Family:

Name in Latin: Araceae

Name in English: Arum Family

The Plant

Origin: Brazil

Growth Habit: herbaceous, perennial, upright, freely clumping

Flower: seldom flowers indoors and blooms are not showy. Spathe and spadix make up bloom

Blooming Period:

Leaf: elongated, oblong to broadly lance-shape- dark to glossy green

Usage:

House plant, Greenhouse, lasts for years

Care and Handling

Soil: good potting soil

Amount of water: Drench soil and let it become moderately dry between waterings.

Nutrition: every 2 weeks with a water soluble lime free fertilizer during spring and summer

Special handling: Chill sensitive. Does best in Bright indirect sun. Can cause skin irritation- handle with care.

Special feature/remarks:

Dumb cane derives from the crystalinne needle-like structures which numb the tongue and throat when ejected from cells. Do not keep around children.