Caladium bicolor

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant is native to several specific regions within West Tropical Africa. Its documented geographical distribution includes the country of Benin, where it grows in suitable local habitats. It is also found across the territory of Burkina, contributing to its regional presence. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Finally, the range of this medicinal plant extends to Togo, completing its West African footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Caladium bicolor is characterized by a vast adaptive capacity across diverse environmental conditions and a wide altitudinal distribution. It thrives in a variety of specialized habitats, ranging from coastal environments like Restinga and moisture-rich ecosystems such as Carrasco, edge forests (Floresta Ciliar), and gallery forests (Galeria), to more complex forest types including Terra Firme, Seasonal Deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual), Perennial forests (Floresta Estacional Perenifólia), and Semi-deciduous forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual). Additionally, the species is found within Ombrophilous (Rainforest) settings, Amazonian Savannas, and various forested zones. This ecological versatility is reflected in its broad elevational range, which extends from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an altitude of 2300 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Carrasco, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Restinga, Savana Amazônica

Life history

The life history of Caladium bicolor is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. Its survival strategy is rooted in its life form, functioning as both a geophyte and a cryptophyte. As a geophyte, the plant relies on underground storage organs, such as tubers, to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and facilitate regrowth. This specialized physiological structure, combined with its cryptophyte nature, ensures that the vital parts of the plant remain protected beneath the soil surface, enabling it to navigate seasonal transitions and maintain a continuous life cycle within its ecological niche.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Caladium bicolor is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. The plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 0.5 m, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber or a vine. It is a terrestrial species, functioning as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies, and does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, growing instead directly in soil. Its physical structure is entirely non-woody, consisting of soft, herbaceous tissues typical of its classification.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Caladium bicolor is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions, a process typical of most tropical understory plants. This metabolic strategy allows the plant to thrive in shaded or partially shaded environments where light intensity may fluctuate. Furthermore, Caladium bicolor does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, relying instead on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system to meet its nutritional requirements for growth and development.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Caladium bicolor has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CALCIUM OXALATE, STARCH.

CALCIUM OXALATE

1. Dr. Duke

STARCH

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Caladium bicolor has 9 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Absorbent, Antidote (Iodine), Antinesidioblastosic, Emetic, Emollient.

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Antidote (Iodine)

1. Dr. Duke

Antinesidioblastosic

1. Dr. Duke

Emetic

1. Dr. Duke

Emollient

1. Dr. Duke

Inflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Laxative

1. Dr. Duke

Lithogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Poultice

1. Dr. Duke