FNPS Plant Database

Thalia geniculata

alligator flag, fireflag

PHOTOS COMING SOON!

Nomenclature

Common Name:

alligator flag, fireflag

Synonym(s):

Maranta geniculata

Genus species:

Thalia geniculata

Family:

Marantaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

flower

Size:

6-9 ft tall by 3-10 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

blue,lavender

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Winter dormant. Blooms summer-fall.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Used for wetland restoration. Attractive for planting in surface water management ponds.

Considerations:

Dies back in the winter.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales

Propagation:

Propagate from rhizomes or seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Aquatic ---to--- Stays wet

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.



Don't know your zone? Click here to search by zip code.

Ecology

Wildlife:

Caterpillars

Host plant for Brazilian Skipper ( Calpodes ethlius ).  





Single gray eggs are laid on the leaves. After emerging, Brazilian Skipper caterpillars make shelters out of leaves by folding the leaves over and securing them with silk. The caterpillars emerge from their shelters at night to feed, often causing severe defoliation. (North American Butterfly Association)

 Provides hiding areas for water birds some of which hide their nests in patches of this tall plant.

Native Habitats:

Marshes, swamps, roadside ditches. Usually in areas with relatively high nutrients and relatively high light. Rarely under a dense canopy.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Citations:

Minno, Marc and Maria Minno.  1999.  Florida butterfly gardening.  University Press of Florida, Gainesville.



Nelson, Gil.  2003.  Florida's Best Landscape Plants. Association of Florida Native Nurseries.



North American Butterfly Association.  2021.   http://nababutterfly.com/bent-alligator-flag/.



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

Request an update