Toni,

I did a Google search for Christia obcordata and came up with several sites offering usuful information on this plant.

check out following site:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/102084/
and there are several other sites.

it looks like a very attractive plant

Evelyn

Looks like an excellent houseplant.
Love the butterfly leaves.
Definitely tropical, and not grown much outside here.
I've never seen one.
Sounds like it may go dormant during the winter, but with very little water and no fertilizer during this time, it should pop back with warmth and humidity in the summer.
Good luck with it, Toni.

Kewtip, would you mind sharing some of the sites you found? I checked Google lastnight and couldn't find much..

Evelyn..thanks..I actually browsed through Dave's Garden last night, and if you read the info, you'll see what I mean about not having much to share. Most of their answers are: Tell Us, lol, because they don't know much about this plant..Plus they state the Christia needs deep shade..If you check the 3 posters feedback, there's 1 negative, stating this person killed two plants..one neutral where the person said they can't find any info..and the third is gives positive feedback stating his disagrees w/deep shade instead suggests full sun. LOL
I even wrote to the seller (Ebay) and he gave me the same generic description for two different plants bought from his nursery.

Treefrog, I have a feeling this plant is going to be a disaster..For one, upon arrival, more than half the leaves shed. Then after setting it out, it dropped 2-5 leaves per day..now more than half are gone..btw, just got this plant last wk..I'm debating setting it outside until autumn. Since it has thin leaves, I'm assuming it likes to dry out to a degree and does not like direct sun.
Well, thanks for your help folks. I'll keep searching for answers...Toni

Obviously plants that have just gone through shipping are going to exibit stress.
You sound like you know how to care for it.
Trust your instincts.
Don't keep it too wet.
Don't let it dry out.
Don't put it in the sun.
Wish I could be of more help.
Sounds like this is a new one here, so you're the pioneer.
Post photos when it begins to thrive!

Some information I was able to uncover. It is an extremely rare plant from Thailand and thus little is truly known about it.

Christia obcordata 'Butterflies': Burl Mostul of Rare Plant Research in Portland was walking through a marketplace in Thailand when he saw this graceful beauty. He had to have it. And now, after several years in tissue culture, we can, too. The green-and-purple-striped leaves really do look like butterflies about to take flight. Incredible container plant. Can be grown in full sun or full shade or as a houseplant. Will have bigger leaves and more subtle purple striping if grown indoors. Typically goes dormant in winter; must be brought in to survive. Give it a warm spot. 12-16 inches tall, 18-22 inches wide. Zone 11. (Rare Plant)

Christia Obcordata "SwallowTail" . This little plant has really impressed me, and that's not easy to do. In a room or yard full of beautiful ,exotic plants this little shrub is the one that your eyes will be drawn to over and over.It's like Angelina Jolie at an ugly convention.It grows to 24 inches high and spreads around the same. The leaves look like butterflys,with a little breeze it's almost a hypnotic effect. It's a very versatile plant, does well anywhere from full shade to full sun. Makes a great Indoor Houseplant ,potted on the deck, patio,porch or poolside,planted out in the garden or even on your desk in the Office.Get ready for the compliments and questions from everyone who sees it. This is a stunningly beautiful plant.

******* Note : I have read in a couple of places where full shade is recommended for this plant. I have found this not to be accurate. I have it in full morning sun for half of the day and thee rest of the day bright, indirect light. The Christia is thriving, in fact I am surprised at the rate of growth. It grows quite quickly and the foliage does not suffer from the sun.******

YOU are not intruding as we welcome anyone who adores plants the way we do. Linda

Hi Treefrog.."you sound like you know how to care for this plant." lol..Tree, I haven't the faintest idea..for instance, I need to know type of soil..pH: acidic or alk? What size pot? Does it do better rootbound or w/room to spare. Which fertilizer. How often. Humidity.
So, far this is what I've learned..Sun: Deep shade to full sun..LOL
Dormancy in winter.
Soil shouldn't be too wet or too dry.
Fast grower..
Tree, I pray it survives..It's an interesting plant, but seems difficult caring for..God, I wish I lived in Fl where tropicals have a better survival rate than they do here in IL..LOL
About shipping..I do quite a bit of online ordering..even though some plants drop leaves/flowers, nothing this severe has ever happened, which tells me the Christia has many needs. To top that off, the plant was a lot smaller than I hoped..there was another seller who had a Christia..it's size was at least 3 times that of mine. I would think a larger specimen easier to grow than a baby..I didn't dare repot for fear roots are small, if they exist at all..another reason is because I don't know which soil to use or pot size.

Linda, perhaps I can check Thailand weather conditions (climate) on Wikipedia..try duplicating their environement..(as much as possible anyway) LOL.
Linda, what do they consider warm? Placing outside now would be fine..it's hot and humid..but during winter months we depend on 'gas heat'..a dry heat making the house as arid as a desert..though I mist daily, use humidity trays, and keep a humidifer running 24/7...Humidity is about 48% in winter, in the house. Sometimes a bit higher..
LOL, I love your comparison of Christia to Angelina Jolie..lolol..
Since it can be grown in full sun to deep shade, how about I place in medium light w/some direct sun..if it starts drooping, I can set elsewhere..Does this sound about right?
I wonder why it grows larger leaves in a pot than the ground?
Oh Linda, do you have a Christia? How are you growing yours? In the ground or container? What's its size? What type of fertilizer do you use? Does it need more nitrogen than say potasium/potash? Are you using any other soil amendments?

Linda, every so often I come to this forum, just to read about Fl's plants..You guys seem so close, like best friends..LOL. I've seen pics ppl posted and I'm envious..LOL..Tropicals directly in the ground..how nice.

Anyway, I'd really like to save the Christia. It does resemble a Butterfly as does it's red-leaf cousin..Has anyone seen that one? It too is gorgeous.
My dh found a site selling both, for 5.00..after researching, we found it was from a 2006 catalog..lol..Well, they're no longer 5.00..
Thank you all for your help..I appreicate it. Toni

You grow it like a coleus. It needs to be pinched to make it bush and frow full and not leggy. It is used to forest conditions and likes to grow as a forest floor plant and thus it likes a fairly humid environment. I would grow it in the winter in eit6her the bathroom for half a day or else in the kitchen. A room with a cool mist humidifier would help. It likes a slightly acidic soil but does well with regular Miracle Grow or fish emulsion is better. Keep soil evenly moist but no wet feet. It does like being slightly root bound and does better in pots because it can be protected and moved if not happy where located. It's stems are thin and wirey but they do bend easy in the wind. It despises cold. It would never survive a frost and it is best treated as a tropical. It will grow from full sun to filtered shade and even indoors under florescent lighting. I have a small one that is growing rapidly. I adore it and I acquired it for $7. Linda

Remember it is from the legume family and if you grow it as you would any bean it thrives. Linda

Coffeemom..I guess some ppl would miss places they were born and raised..BTW, what state are you from if you don't mind me asking?
Since I am one who loves heat and humidity, (we don't even use ac in summer and it's been in the high 90's and very humid) living somewhere tropical would be a blessing.
I enjoy outdoor gardening, but nothing beats growing tropicals..I'm also into citrus..living somewhere like Fl would be perfect for my children..(S)

Thanks Linda..that's quite a bit of information..I've never grown a bean outside, but have in pots (yrs ago)
I'm thinking Fish Emulsion would be a safe bet. Actually, I only have one plant that loves constant water, but all other plant soils dry between waterings.
You lucked out paying 7.00..what a bargain! How long have you had it, and how tall? Do you know if these plants flower? Though I'd imagine they're grown more for foliage..Anyway, thanks again..You guys have been a big help..Toni

okay.......now I am going to NEED to get it ! LOL !

I say I'm from Chicago, home of Da Bears! But I've been here, in S Fla., since 1966. I love citrus, too. I bet I'm going to have enuff to make a key lime pie this week!Yea!

Jupiter, LOL..I know what you mean about getting a plant you like.

Coffee..so you're from Chicago..Home of Da Bears..lOL
I was born in Chicago, but we moved to the burbs in 88. Too hectic for my liking.
I bet your citrus are doing great and you probably can make several Key Lime Pies this wk..I can make a mini pie..LOL..

Heck, I'd be happy moving to Southern GA..the weather is perfect there, too..

Anyway, thanks for all your help again..hopefully the Christia will make it through winter..Toni

hopeful, don't let her fool you: "Coffeemom..I guess some ppl would miss places they were born and raised..BTW, what state are you from if you don't mind me asking?"

Kristi, our beloved Coffeemom is really from the great State of CONFUSION! But I love her! She was born a day after me and moved to Florida a year before me. We are like 2 peas on a cob!

LOL LOL! and have the same sense of humor!!!

yeah, a very sicko sense of humor sometimes marion, hey you don't take no back seat either crazy woman!

sorry, hopeful, I railroaded your thread with some insight to the wonderfully wacky ladies on this Florida forum. Please intrude often! Hubby and his son are from your neck of the woods...near Chi Town.

Truthfully Toni, I'm from Hinsdale. (I was born in Chicago)
I lived on elm street when there were still elms on it. It's my 2nd year for the key lime tree so I'm still in single digit pies.

2 peas on a cob?
What veggies are you growing, Cindee?

coffeemom-very sicko sense of humor veggies LOL! I crack myself down!

Cindeea, I don't know if you're asking where I live or reprhasing my question to Coffeemom..anyway, if you were, I live in IL..the sw burbs..was born in Chicago though. Please don't worry about RR'ing my thread..my question was answered and I thank you all for the help.

Hindsdale is a bit further west than I am, Coffeemom. Hinsdale is still a pretty nice area though..Do you remember if it was Cook or Dupage?
A 2 yr old Fl grown citrus is like a 6 month old here..LOL..Toni

Hinsdale was Dupage Co. back in the day. They tore our house down and built a Mc Mansion over 20 yrs ago.
My Dad had a Grocery store in Riverside and my Mom grew up in Brookfield.

I almost bought Christia obcordata-until reading your thread-too much work for this tropical gardener in Bothell, Washington! Did find it online-Brian's Botanicals though.

Coffeemom, I'm sure Hinsdale has changed a lot since you lived there, Heck, it's changed since I've moved here in in 1988. More and more section 8 or 9, whatever they're called, buildings are buing erected in that area, therefore, since, crime has increased..That's a shame because Hindsdale is a beautiful area, and like usual, distroying nature with what they deem progress..
Was your dad's grocerys store located in downtown Riverside? Do you remember the vicinity? Which side of Brookfield did your mom reside?
I borrowed a hard cover book from Brookfield Library..it contains pictures of Brookfield homes/streets in the early 1900's..My block had 3 homes, the rest fields..It's an interesting book.

Garden, save your money..lol..I'm pretty lucky growing tropicals in my home and small gh including citrus, hibs, azaleas, gardnias and many others. The Christia lived less than 2 wks..when it arrived several leaves had already dropped. From then on, one leaf a day fell..I hadn't changed anything..didn't even repot. All that's left is one weak stem..It's history. Think I saw the one I Brian's Botanicals..
Got mine on Ebay..Normally, I don't give up so easy, but in this case, w/this plant, I'll never purchase another. Good luck to anyone who buys one..you guys in warmer, tropical climates might have better luck..Toni

Uh, oh, hopeful,

I got one about a week ago, not having seen your post. It was an impulse buy- really caught my eye- so pretty. We'll see what happens. One leaf dropped yesterday. I'll keep watching today. Was $7.00 at my local nursery.

Anna

They have them in the ground at Motts in Orlando. High bright shade, and Florida's hot wet summer.

If they hibernate in the winter, did yours drop leaves simply because of the time of year?

I live in the Tampa Bay area and work for an interiorscaping company that has a retail nursery at our office. I found one of these C. obcordata there. I thought it amazing and brought it home.

It's taken me over 2 wks to find out what its botanical name was to know how to care for it.

I have it outside under a laurel oak and it's growing well with very little leaf drop. It's still in a pot so I can bring it inside if need be.