Schumannianthus dichotomus (Common Donax, Bemban, Bamban Ai, Bamban Batu)


Botanical Information

FamilyMarantaceae
GenusSchumannianthus
Speciesdichotomus
SynonymsPhrynium dichotomum
CategoryPerennials, Woody
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginMyanmar to Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia, and Singapore.

Details

USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.

Description and Growing Information

ShapeIrregular.
LandscapeIt may be suitable as a terrestrial indoor plant or as a marsh plant for the edges of ponds or waterways for its attractive foliage.
PropagationBy seed or by division of plants.
Notable SpecimensQueen Sirikit Botanic Garden, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
HabitatIt grows in swamps and along rivers, often forming thickets.
Bark/Stem DescriptionHard, upright woody stems that resemble smooth bamboo stems. The stems grow to about 1–2 m tall before branching and producing leaves.
Leaf DescriptionAlternate, stalked leaves have leathery leaf blades that are oval, and 10–15 by 6.5 cm. The petioles are short, covered with hair, and 5–8 mm long. The leaf sheaths are 6–11 cm long.
Flower Description4 cm long, faint pinkish-white with a yellowish staminode, borne on a simple or sometimes branched inflorescence.
Fruit Description3-lobed, widening upwards from the base, covered with hair, and dehiscent. Each fruit bears 3 arillate seeds that dangle from the fruit wall after the fruit splits open.

Photographs