Caladium

A decorative plant of the Araceae family (APG classification: Araceae). Its Japanese name is Caladium. There are 16 species distributed in South America, of which two species are cultivated for decorative purposes, and both are cold-intolerant bulbous plants. C. bicolor Vent., commonly called Caladium, has thin, shield-shaped leaves that resemble smaller versions of taro leaves, and is beautiful with patterns and spots in red, purple, pink, and white. It was introduced to Japan in the mid-Meiji period, and is often used as a decorative potted plant from early summer. There are many varieties, but the most commonly cultivated in Japan is Candedum (Japanese name Shirasagi), which has bright green veins on a white background, and Himehanishiki, which has small, egg-shaped leaves measuring 5 to 7 centimeters and has clear large and small white spots between the veins, and is used as a small potted plant. Caladium bulbs can be obtained in February or March, planted in moist sphagnum moss, and allowed to sprout at a temperature of around 25°C before being potted in partial shade and kept slightly humid, allowing beautiful leaves to develop. In autumn, when the leaves have withered, dig up the bulbs, bury them in moist sand, and store them in a place that does not drop below 10°C until spring.

[Hisao Tsurushima January 21, 2022]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

サトイモ科（APG分類：サトイモ科）の観葉植物。和名ニシキイモ。南アメリカに16種分布し、このうち2種が観賞用に栽培され、いずれも不耐寒性の球根草である。一般にカラジウムと称するC. bicolor Vent.はサトイモの葉を小形にしたような薄い楯(たて)形の葉をもち、赤、紫、桃、白などの紋様や斑(ふ)が入って美しい。日本には明治中期に渡来し、初夏からの観葉鉢植えとして利用が多い。多くの品種があるが、日本では白地に鮮緑の葉脈が入るキャンデダム（和名シラサギ）がよく栽培され、このほかに、葉が5～7センチメートルと小形の卵状形で葉脈間に大小の白斑(はくはん)が鮮明に入り、小鉢植えとされるヒメハニシキがある。カラジウムの球根は2～3月に入手し、湿ったミズゴケに植え、25℃くらいの温度で芽を出させてから鉢に植え付け、半日陰でやや湿り気を多くすると、美しい葉が展開する。秋、葉が枯れたら球根を掘り上げ、湿った砂に埋め、10℃以下にならない所で春まで貯蔵する。

［鶴島久男　2022年1月21日］

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