"Namaste plant" typically refers to Phyllanthus mirabilis, a caudiciform plant known for its leaves that fold together at night, resembling hands in a Namaste gesture. It is native to Thailand and is also known as "Dragon Wings". The plant exhibits a unique dormancy behavior, shedding its leaves in spring and leaving behind a thick, showy caudex (swollen base).
Key characteristics of the Phyllanthus mirabilis (Namaste plant):
Caudiciform:
It has a swollen base (caudex) that stores water, making it drought-tolerant.
Nighttime Leaf Folding:
The leaves fold together in pairs at night, resembling hands in the Namaste position, hence the common name.
Dormancy:
It typically sheds its leaves in spring and enters a dormancy period, leaving behind the caudex.
Re-leafing:
The plant re-leafs around June, usually after the dormancy period.
Light and Water:
It can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including full sun or shade, and prefers rich, moist soil in its natural habitat.
Bonsai Potential:
It is a good candidate for bonsai due to its manageable size and interesting form.
Other plants sometimes called "Namaste plant":
Air plants (Tillandsia species):
Some air plants, like Tillandsia 'Namaste', are also referred to as Namaste plants because of their ability to absorb water and nutrients from the air.
Prayer plants (Maranta species):
While not as commonly called Namaste plants, some prayer plants (like Maranta leuconeura) exhibit similar leaf-folding behavior at night, which could be associated with the Namaste gesture