Fancy & Strap Caladiums

Fancy leaved Caladiums:
Below are several characteristics that are generally associated with Fancy Leaf caladiums. However, it must be noted that caladiums are highly variable with exceptions occurring with almost all noted characteristics. The following are characteristics ascribed to the Fancy Leaf Group when comparing it to the Lance (Strap) Leaf or Strap (Ribbon) leaved group. Within each group characteristic, there are many notable exceptions.

1) Petiole (leaf stem) attached within the blade of the leaf blade.
2) Leaves tend to be heart shaped
3) Leaf lobes partially fused near the petiole
4) Tend to be less sun tolerant
5) Tend to develop fast
6) Tend to be more apically dominant. More varieties need de-eyeing to make nice pot habit
7) Tend to be less cold tolerant
8) Tend to last for shorter periods in the landscape when compared to strap leaved caladiums
9) Tend to have shorter crop times
10) From a tuber production stand point, tend to have the highest yields of the various caladium groups thus are the least costly in the market.
11) Tend to be taller
12) Tend to have a more upright habit
 

Strap (Lance) leaved Caladiums:
Below are several characteristics that are generally associated with lance (commercially referred to as strap leaf) leaf caladiums. However, it must be noted that caladiums are highly variable with exceptions occurring with almost all noted characteristics. The following are characteristics ascribed to the Lance Leaf Group when comparing it to the Fancy Leaf or Strap Leaf (Ribbon) group. Within each group characteristic, there are many notable exceptions.

1) Petiole (leaf stem) attached at or near the edge of the leaf blade.
2) Leaves tend to be more elongate arrow head shaped.
3) Leaves tend to have intermediate to small lobes
4) Leaves generally smaller.
5) Lobes not fused or only slightly fused near the petiole.
6) Tend to be more sun tolerant
7) Tend to develop over longer periods of time
8) Tend to be less apically dominant
9) Tend to be more cold tolerant
10) Tend to last longer the landscape
11) Tend to have longer crop times
12) From a tuber production stand point, tend to have lower yields than Fancy Leaved types thus making them higher priced in the market
13) Tend to be shorter
14) Tend to have a more spreading , less upright, habit