Bent Alligator-Flag
(Thalia geniculata)
Bent Alligator-Flag (Thalia geniculata)
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Vijay Barve
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Vijay Barve
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Vijay Barve | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Vijay Barve | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2021-10-23T19:28:33-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Thalia geniculata, commonly known as Bent Alligator-Flag, is an evergreen perennial herb native to wetlands, including marshes, swamps, and the edges of ponds and streams in the Southeastern United States, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and tropical Africa. It typically grows to a height of 8 feet (2.4 meters) and a width of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters), with a clumping habit that forms dense stands. The plant features large, paddle-shaped leaves and produces inflorescences of white to pale purple flowers during the summer and fall, which are quite showy and attract pollinators.
Bent Alligator-Flag is valued for its striking vertical form and attractive foliage, making it a popular choice for water gardens, rain gardens, and naturalized wetland plantings. It is also used in constructed wetlands for water purification. This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions, often standing water. It is relatively low maintenance but may need to be controlled in smaller water features to prevent it from becoming too dominant. While generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to rust and leaf spot diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0
Bent Alligator-Flag is valued for its striking vertical form and attractive foliage, making it a popular choice for water gardens, rain gardens, and naturalized wetland plantings. It is also used in constructed wetlands for water purification. This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and requires consistently moist to wet soil conditions, often standing water. It is relatively low maintenance but may need to be controlled in smaller water features to prevent it from becoming too dominant. While generally pest-free, it can be susceptible to rust and leaf spot diseases.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Herb
- Height: 6-10 feet
- Width: 1.5-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: High
- Drainage: Slow, Standing, Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Water Garden
Natural Habitat
Wetlands, including marshes, swamps, and the edges of ponds and streams in the Southeastern United States, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America
Other Names
Common Names: Arrowroot, Fire-Flag, Stor Thalia
Scientific Names: , Thalia geniculata, Thalia welwitschii, Thalia trichocalyx, Thalia schumanniana, Thalia angustifolia, Thalia divaricata, Maranta flexuosa, Thalia geniculata var. pubescens, Maranta geniculata
GBIF Accepted Name: Thalia geniculata L.