TOP TROPICALS ONLINE STORE: cordyline

Exotic Rattlesnake, Rattleshaker, rare exotic variety. Named because of its rattlesnake's rattler shaped bract. This calathea has interwoven bracts 5" to 10" long and 2" to 3" wide and is adorned with small white flowers that peek out throughout the bracts. The bracts appear midway on short stout stalks hidden amongst the lush green ribbed foliage 2' to 3' long and 1' wide, somewhat like banana leaves with a very intricate pattern! Semi-hardy. Height to 6', heavily pleated paddle-like leaves tower over it's spectacular inflorescences.
The flowers are followed by 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) long, egg-shaped seed capsules containing dark blue seeds surrounded with white flesh. The leaves are large, dark green above with paler green along the midrib, grayish green with often purplish margins below, ovate in shape, and pinnately-veined with parallel lateral veins. Easy to grow from seeds. It makes an excellent landscape plant . Does best in semi-shade.

Devil Bean, Rattleweed, Shack Shack. This low growing flowering plant has bright yellow flowers. Very easy to grow, not demanding and fast growing. Attracts butterflies and bees. Grown as a green manure, fibre crop and ornamental, the plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in some areas. The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round.
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.
The plant contains alkaloids and used medicinally in some tropical countries.