Calathea is a genus of flowering plant belonging to the
family Marantaceae. They are commonly called calatheas or (like their
relatives) prayer plants.
About 200 species formerly assigned to Calathea are now in the genus
Goeppertia. There are several dozen species in this genus. Native to the
tropical Americas, many of the species are popular as pot plants due to
their decorative leaves and, in some species, colorful inflorescences.