The Maranta is also sometimes called a prayer plant. It is a plant from Central and South America and is named after the 16th century Italian botanist Bartolomeo Maranta. There are now about 50 species of Maranta. The name prayer plant has the plant due to the way the leaves are flat and open during the day and close at night. There are several varieties with different colors. In general, care is easy and in good conditions they can even be kept in bloom shoot with very cute little booms with three petals. Popular species include Maranta leuconeura "lemon lime," Maranta leuconeura "amabilis" and Maranta leuconeura "fascinator."
