Family
Bromeliaceae
Botanical Name
CRYPTANTHUS bromelioides
Plant Common Name
Earthen Star, Stripe Star
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Wavy foliage that resembles an ackward starfish, stripe star adds visual texture to the tropical dappled shade garden. A tender terrestrial (growing in soil) bromeliad with a stemless rosette of leaves, it is from Brazil.
There are from eight to fifteen flattened strap-like leaves that have tiny teethed edges and taper to a point. A medium green, they have waxy but matte finish with wavy edges and lighter green or ivory stripes; modern selections have more ornate tones of silver, bronze, red or pink. In summer's warmth, small white flowers appear in the crotches of leaves in the center of the rosette. Also, small plants, called pups, are forming at the plant's base and will grow to replace the mother bromeliad which will slowly degrade and die after flowering.
Grow earthern star in a well-draining moist soil that is friable with lots of organic matter; sandy ground is best. Place in a partially shaded spot, although some sun is tolerated in mornings and evenings and in more humid elevations. Too much shade diminishes the colorful foliage banding. Use it as a massed tropical groundcover or accent in the front of the border under tropical ferns and begonias. It also makes a nice houseplant near a very bright window. Pup plants can be pulled away from the mother plant and placed in a new spot before the mother dies; this allows for regular renewal of a massed colony without the visual messiness of dying brown plants. Variety tricolor, now often simply called 'Rainbow Star', has variegated foliage of green and pinkish cream with a red-blushed core.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 10
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Plant Type
Tender Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Shade
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Height
3"-5" / 7.6cm - 12.7cm
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Width
7"-10" / 17.8cm - 25.4cm
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Native To
South America, Brazil
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Groundcover, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
