Cryptanthus dianae

not known

dianae = not known

terrestric in shady places, on the Atlantic coast of Brazil far inland, in the provinces of Rio Grande Do Norte, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Sergipe, Alagoas, Ceara and Bahia, partly also further south along the coast.

Cryptanthus species grow terrestrially as evergreen, perennial herbaceous plants. Most species are relatively small. The coarse, parallel-veined foliage leaves sit on a compressed main axis in a basal rosette. The stem leaves are slightly armed with a toothed leaf margin. The most decorative thing about the Cryptanthus species are their sometimes wavy, often beautifully patterned.
Cryptanthus only form a few roots and, like all other bromeliads, feed via suckers or the water in the calyx. After flowering, several keikis usually form from the heart, which can be easily removed and potted when 3-5cm of size.
Cryptanthus only achieve their full colour when they start to flower. The more light they get at this time, the more intense the leaf colour will be.