Thalia geniculata L., Marantaceae

Click on an image for links to BIGGER PICTURES

Present on Pacific Islands?  no

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Thalia welwitschii Ridl.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: arrowroot, bent alligator-flag, fire-flag

Spanish: bocachica, platanillo

Habit:  herb

Description:  "It has a fibrous root and an erect, herbaceous, finely pubescent stem that grows from 1 to 2.5 meters tall and produces rhizomes.  The ovate-lanceolate leaves are alternate and entire with pinnate venation.  The lower part of petiole forms a sheath.  The inflorescence is a panicle with sessile green to white flowers.  The fruit is a fleshy capsule"  (Cardenas et al., 1972; p. 233).

Habitat/ecology:  "Perennial aquatic weed found in swamps, flooded areas and river banks"  (Cardenas et al., 1972; p. 233).

Propagation:  Seed and rhizomes (Cardenas et al., 1972; p. 233).

Native range:  Central Africa, United States, Mexico, Central and South America (GRIN).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island		Bishop Museum (U.S.A. Hawaii. Honolulu.) (1943) (voucher ID: BISH 590849) Taxon name on voucher: Thalia geniculata L.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Costa Rica (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	El Salvador (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Honduras (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Nicaragua (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Thalia geniculata, please let us know.