Plant · GBIF taxon 11035519
Rattlesnake-plant
Goeppertia insignisAlso known as Rattlesnake Calathea
Rattlesnake plants thrive on the dim floors of eastern Brazil's Atlantic rainforest, spreading long, undulating leaves marked with alternating dark green brushstrokes against a light yellow-green field. Specialized cellular joints called pulvini tilt the foliage upward at dusk and flatten it toward the light each dawn, executing a rhythmic dance known as nyctinasty. Deep maroon leaf undersides trap and reflect escaping light back through photosynthetic tissues, maximizing energy capture under dense tropical canopies.
TropicalRainforestFoliage Plant
1 / 2—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
- Spider mites
- Caterpillars
- Slugs
ThreatsHabitat loss and deforestation within the Atlantic Forest biome
HabitatsTropical coastal rainforest understory
Life spanPerennial (indefinite through rhizomatous growth)
Classification
- OrderZingiberales
- FamilyMarantaceae
- GenusGoeppertia
- SpeciesGoeppertia insignis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance; non-toxic to humans, dogs, and cats.
Responsible observation
- Watch Leaf Movements: Observe foliage in the morning and evening to witness the dramatic change in leaf angle.
- Inspect the Undersides: Look beneath the green surface to view the rich, maroon light-absorbing coloration.
- Preserve Wild Specimens: Avoid disturbing native wild populations in Brazil, as their forest habitat is fragmented.
Close Relative Chhe (talk) / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Diogo Luiz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Same Family João Medeiros / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Greg III Espera, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Greg III Espera · cc-by
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