Gonatopus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Araceae

Araceae

Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe or leaf-like bract. Also known as the Arum family, members are often colloquially...

, consisting of about five species. This genus is native to eastern and southeastern Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

 and is closely related to the genus Zamioculcas

Zamioculcas

Zamioculcas is a genus of flowering plant in the family Araceae, containing the single species Zamioculcas zamiifolia. It is a tropical perennial plant native to eastern Africa, from Kenya south to northeastern South Africa...

. The plant generally only produces one leaf from its tuber

Tuber

Tubers are various types of modified plant structures that are enlarged to store nutrients. They are used by plants to survive the winter or dry months and provide energy and nutrients for regrowth during the next growing season and they are a means of asexual reproduction...

 when in growth. In G. boivinii, the leaf is tripinnate, and with its stalk can reach up to 1 m in height and 40 cm broad; the individual leaflets are up to 10 cm long and 3.5 cm broad; in G. angustus, the leaf can reach 1.5 m tall. A spadix

Spadix

In botany, a spadix is a type of spike inflorescence having small flowers borne on a fleshy stem. Spadix are typical of the Family Araceae known as arums or aroids...

 flower arises from the tuber during late spring.

Cultivation and uses

The most commonly found Gonatopus in private collections and cultivation is Gonatopus boivinii, commonly called Giraffe's Knees. This name arises from the appearance of a swollen region of a petiole called the pulvinus.

Since Gonatopus boivinii is tropical in origin, in temperate areas it should be grown as a houseplant. As an ornamental plant

Ornamental plant

Ornamental plants are plants that are grown for decorative purposes in gardens and landscape design projects, as house plants, for cut flowers and specimen display...

, it is grown for its attractive mottled leaves and stalk. Potting soil with some coir

Coir

Coir is a natural fibre extracted from the husk of coconut and used in products such as floor mats, doormats, brushes, mattresses etc. Technically coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut. Other uses of brown coir are in upholstery...

 incorporated is satisfactory for the plant. The plant should be kept moist and fertilized once every two weeks with a weak fertilizer during the growing season.

The plants should be kept warm, and in bright light or light shade. After the growing season, the tubers can be lifted and stored like Dahlia

Dahlia

Dahlia is a genus of bushy, tuberous, perennial plants native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia. There are at least 36 species of dahlia, some like D. imperialis up to 10 metres tall. Dahlia hybrids are commonly grown as garden plants...

s. The plant can be propagated by division or by seed.

Selected species

• Gonatopus angustus N.E.Br.
• Gonatopus boivinii (Decne) Engl.
• Gonatopus clavatus Mayo
• Gonatopus marattioides (A. Peter) Bogner
• Gonatopus petiolulatus (A. Peter) Bogner