Leopard taro (scientific name: Maranta leuconeura E. morren) is a perennial evergreen herbaceous foliage plant of taro family. The plant height can reach 30 cm, with many branches, wide rectangular and round leaves, shiny light green on the front and gray green on the back. Leaves obovate, handle base sheath. Racemes, flowers in pairs, bracts few, sepals lanceolate; Corolla tube cylindrical, base swollen, style thick.

 

This species has rich and colorful leaves, strong ornamental, and mostly shade plants, with strong negative tolerance and strong adaptability. It can be planted in the shade or roadside of courtyards and parks. More and more species have been applied to landscaping in South China. The planting method can be slice planting, cluster planting or collocation with other plants. In the northern region, it can be cultivated in the ornamental greenhouse for landscaping and viewing. Due to its strong negative resistance and beautiful leaf color, it can be directly planted in the corner sections of public places such as hotels, shopping malls and large venues for permanent layout. However, in the process of cultivation and management, light should be supplemented appropriately and water should be sprayed on the leaf surface regularly to improve the air humidity. It is one of the most famous indoor foliage plants in the world because of its beautiful plant shape, colorful leaf colors, strong negative tolerance and simple cultivation management. Large varieties can be used to decorate the halls of hotels and shopping malls, while small varieties can decorate the balcony, living room, bedroom, etc. In the process of cultivation and management, each time it is placed for a period of time, it should be placed in the place with strong sunshine on the balcony and windowsill to enhance the light for long-term viewing. Because of its colorful leaves and eye-catching stripes, it is a high-grade leaf cutting material, which can be directly used as flower arrangement or as lining material for flower arrangement.