The species name tells you what to expect: orbis, a circle; folium, a leaf. Goeppertia orbifolia from the rainforests of eastern Brazil produces exactly that — large, nearly round leaves up to 12 inches across, their dark green surface crossed with silver-green stripes that give the whole plant a graphic, almost structural quality. The undersides are pale green to silver. Erect and clumping in habit, it reaches 2 to 3 feet tall by 1 to 2 feet wide, making it a substantial presence on the floor of a bright room.

Like its relatives in Marantaceae, it folds its leaves at dusk and opens them again at sunrise, though the scale of those leaves makes the movement all the more noticeable. Indoors it rarely flowers, which matters little given the foliage. Consistent temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees, humidity at or above 60%, and a slightly acidic potting mix kept moist but never waterlogged are the main requirements. Tap water carries enough fluoride to cause browning at the leaf tips over time; distilled or rainwater is the better choice. Monthly fertilizer during the growing season sustains the lush density the plant is capable of.