葛鬱金屬多年生草本，原產巴西。株高約30cm，莖匍匐性。寬橢圓形葉長10~12cm、寬6~8cm。葉色淺綠，葉脈間有深綠至黑褐色的刷斑，夜晚有葉片豎直的睡眠運動。總狀花序，花白色有紫斑。

A perennial herb in the genus Maranta, native to Brazil. Plant height about 30cm with trailing stems. Leaves broad oval, 10-12cm long and 6-8cm wide, light green, with dark green to dark brown markings between the veins. The leaves fold in an erect position at night which is known as diurnal rhythm movement. Racemes, flowers white with purple spots.

半日照溫暖且高濕度環境，乾燥容易造成葉緣損傷焦黃。使用排水良好且富含有機質的培養土種植，不耐旱，介質略乾或觀察葉片萎軟就澆水。春至秋每季施用一次長效性綜合肥料。繁殖使用分株法。注意紅蜘蛛危害。

The plant does best in a partial-sun, warm and highly moist environment, drought may cause the leaf margin damaged and browning. Well-drained culture soil rich in organic matter is preferred, water once the soil surface starts to dry or the leaves show signs of wilting. Apply a slow-release compound fertilizer once every season from spring to autumn. Propagated by division. Pay attention to the hazard of spider mites.

葉片斑紋有如筆墨繪製，十分別緻特殊，新葉斑紋色彩較淺，成熟葉斑紋顏色變深，層次分明更添趣味性。可做盆栽、吊盆應用，匍匐的特性也適合栽培於遮蔭地作為地被植物使用。不具耐寒性，種植地要避免冬季冷風吹。

The foliage plant is valued for its unique and brushwork painting-like leaves. The markings of new leaves are lighter, then turn darker with age to create a contrast effect. It can be grown as a planter or in hanging pots. The trailing stems also make the plant a great ground cover plant for shady areas. The plant is not hardy and needs sheltered away from wind in winter.