Spathiphyllum wallisii
Encyclopedia
Spathiphyllum wallisii, commonly known as Peace lily, White sails, or spathe flower is a very popular indoor house plant of the family Araceae
. The genus name means "spathe-leaf," and the specific epithet is named after Gustav Wallis
, the German plant collector.
It is a caespitose herbaceous
perennial
. It produces typical Aroid flowers: a densely crowded inflorescence called a spadix is subtended by one large bract called a spathe (occasionally two spathes are produced, with the upper spathe smaller). The spadix is generally cream or ivory when young, and turns green with age; the spathe is generally white or white with green nerves distally from the margin, turning green with age. Leaves are basal, glossy and somewhat deeply veined, ovate and acuminate. The petioles are long and the leaves arch gracefully. The plant produces offsets at the base and becomes a dense clump in time.
Spathiphyllum wallisii is one of thirty six species
in a genus of tropical evergreens. It was discovered in the late 19th century growing wild in Central America
. A number of cultivars, many of hybrid origin, are commercially available, such as the larger hybrids "Mauna Loa”, named after Hawaii
an volcano
, and the even larger “Sensation”, which are both popular indoor plants. "Domino" is a finely variegated variety of intermediate size.
Araceae
Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe or leaf-like bract. Also known as the Arum family, members are often colloquially...
. The genus name means "spathe-leaf," and the specific epithet is named after Gustav Wallis
Gustav Wallis
Gustav Wallis was a German plant collector, who introduced over 1,000 plant species to Europe, many of which were named after him.-Early life:...
, the German plant collector.
It is a caespitose herbaceous
Herbaceous
A herbaceous plant is a plant that has leaves and stems that die down at the end of the growing season to the soil level. They have no persistent woody stem above ground...
perennial
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
. It produces typical Aroid flowers: a densely crowded inflorescence called a spadix is subtended by one large bract called a spathe (occasionally two spathes are produced, with the upper spathe smaller). The spadix is generally cream or ivory when young, and turns green with age; the spathe is generally white or white with green nerves distally from the margin, turning green with age. Leaves are basal, glossy and somewhat deeply veined, ovate and acuminate. The petioles are long and the leaves arch gracefully. The plant produces offsets at the base and becomes a dense clump in time.
Spathiphyllum wallisii is one of thirty six species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in a genus of tropical evergreens. It was discovered in the late 19th century growing wild in Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
. A number of cultivars, many of hybrid origin, are commercially available, such as the larger hybrids "Mauna Loa”, named after Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
an volcano
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
, and the even larger “Sensation”, which are both popular indoor plants. "Domino" is a finely variegated variety of intermediate size.