Dieffenbachia is a spectacular plant that interior designers appreciate. More precisely, this is a group of plants of the aroid family, now there are more than fifty species of Dieffenbachia in the world. These natives of the South American tropics thrive in large spaces. They grow very quickly. The main decorative element is leaves, but flowers also look quite elegant.
How dieffenbachia grows
Almost all types of dieffenbachia have thick, straight, fleshy stems. Most often, this plant has one growth point, at the very top of the shoot. But some species branch well. All Dieffenbachia grow very quickly. Over time, the bottom of the stem becomes stiff and bare, so that the old plant gradually loses its beauty. But this does not matter, because Dieffenbachia are unpretentious and quite easily tolerate a transplant.
European florists cultivate such species of this plant as Dieffenbachia Leopold, Prelestnaya, Oersteda, Bause, Spotted and some others. Now, among the many species and varieties of this plant, there are dwarf forms, so this flower can decorate not only a spacious office, but also a small apartment. In most species, the stems and leaves are oval, leathery, with light spots, although there are plants with a deep green color, without any gaps. In indoor floriculture, not only different types of this plant are now known, but also quite numerous hybrids. They bloom about the same.
What is a flower
Like all aroid plants, the dieffenbachia inflorescence is an ear that vaguely resembles a corn one. Flowering usually begins in spring, late April or early May. The appearance of a flower is an amazing sight. The ear emerges from the leaf axil. It has a bedspread, most often creamy, sometimes greenish. Unfortunately, dieffenbachia blooms at home very rarely and for a short time.
Flowering lasts for several days. Then the ear withers, but does not fall off by itself. It is best to cut it off as it takes away nutrients from the plant. If the dried ear is not removed, plant growth may slow down. Sometimes the lower leaves begin to dry out and fall off more intensively than that of a non-flowering plant. However, Dieffenbachia is pollinated by some insects of our latitudes, and if this happens, bright red or orange berries will appear in place of the flower, very decorative, but poisonous.
Precautionary measures
Dieffenbachia, of course, is very beautiful, but it can not be installed in all rooms. For example, it is not recommended to decorate the kitchen or nursery with these plants. Do not keep dieffenbachia in child care. The fact is that all parts of any representative of this family are poisonous, and the juice is especially toxic, which, even if it just gets on the skin, causes burning and irritation. Dieffenbachia juice is white. If it gets into the mouth, the tongue swells up and the person loses the ability to speak. South American Indians from this plant prepare preparations for baiting rats.
