Schismatoglottis wallichii (Updated 1st Feb 2022)

INTRODUCTION

This particular plant is known as Schismatoglottis wallichii,  however I still cannot find any common name on this one so far. Locally in Malay it is identified as "Pokok Keladi Lintah" denoting as a leech plant. Its also known as Drop Tongue Plant however another Agloanema species is identified as "Painted Drop Tongue" Plant which is creating more confusion when it comes to common names.

Schismatoglottis wallichii appears to to a native plant in my region. This species is native to Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Thailand where it grows under the canopy of a thick dense jungle in between fallen leaves and swampy areas.

CHARACTERISTICS:

The foliage have a oblong shape where the leaf contain wrinkles (fan like folds) with a heart shaped coloration light green band around the foliage perimeter. Truly it does have a beautiful ornamental feature and have a very stable structure where the leaves doesn't get damaged by burns or bitten by pest.

LIGHT:

I find it works best in indirect bright light - the balance seemed to be very optimum for this one.

MEDIUM:

A Balance mix of potting mix together with sand (50%) to give the fast draining medium. Often I find this succumb to rot at the root base during long period of heavy rain at year end - I realized that this one can't stand being too wet. However, it does bounce back once the rain season is over.

WATERING:

Adequate watering but not too much as it can root the rootball. However lacking water can cause the plant where the leaves becomes droopy - once immediately watered when in this condition, the plant picks back up to its normal vigor.

FERTILIZER:

I find the foliar liquid fertilizer works best for this of which I apply for all my foliage plants. This plant does grow slowly but once it established itself - I will span out wider to over all the ground areas and so do take note that space is needed for this one to stretch out.

PROPAGATION:

I find the best so far is pup division appearing from the base of the plant - new plantlets appears from there to form a new colony.

PEST:

I had come across mealy bugs & scale insect appearing on the back of it's leaves but it easily eradicated by pruning and washing. I had stopped using pesticide in my garden as I don't want to use any chemical in my garden. At best - I do look out to use home-made organic pesticide as I don't want to disturb the ecology in my garden.

I would say this plant is very ideal to cultivate in shaded area in the garden where bright direct sunlight is unavailable. The foliage appears to be stable without discoloration where the lighting dictates the pigmentation of the foliage.

Unlike Dieffenbachia or Agloanema where bright indirect light is required to add colors in it's variegated form - this one doesn't behave as such.

Another interesting feature is the fading of the foliage - the whole leaf turns to cream yellow and truly it is a sight to behold to see such a coloration.

This particular one is an ariod and have it's inflorescent similar like any other ariod features.




Schismatoglottis wallichii / Schismatoglottis calyprata

Commonly known as DropTongue Plant, native to Southeast Asia region around Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the surrounding region. It grows well under thick forest floor in between fallen leaves and swampy areas.

There are about 100 different species which are found in the wild and mostly native to Borneo, these are cultivated as ornamental plants.

Here I share about the Light, Watering, Pest Management, Propagation and Plant Characteristics.

UPDATES (Updated 1st Feb 2022)

Here are some of the pictures for your viewing pleasure. I have found that this particular plant does very well when grown bigger and even when cultivated as a singular plant in as a potted plant - it still give out that ecstatic beauty regardless the conditions. 

Here it appears to be doing very well clustered together with other shade loving plants.

PRUNING

I recently had found that pruning overgrown and almost spent leaves actually the plant to produce new and better looking new leaf fronds - constantly appearing fresh and robust - usually I would leave it as it letting the leaves turn yellow naturally and dry away. However, when I started pruning these spend leaves now - they are more glorious in appearance.

These would do as great features for colors and texture for compact gardening theme in small tight spaces especially for indoor gardening conditions - however they do require good bright indirect light to thrive and grow well.