Transparent Plant: The Skeleton Flower and How to Grow It
Explore the unique biology of plants with translucent features, from the Skeleton Flower's clear petals to the light-filtering leaves of "window plants."
Some plants exhibit transparency, but the most notable is the “Skeleton Flower.” This plant’s white petals transform to a crystal-clear state during a rain shower, sparking interest in how such a change is possible.
The Skeleton Flower (Diphylleia grayi)
The Skeleton Flower, or Diphylleia grayi, is a perennial native to the damp, wooded mountainsides of Japan and China. In dry weather, it presents clusters of small, white flowers atop large, umbrella-like leaves. When it rains, these blossoms undergo a transformation.
As water droplets land on the petals, they lose their opaque, white appearance and become completely transparent, resembling delicate glass. This change reveals the network of veins within each petal, creating the skeletal look that gives the plant its common name. This cycle can repeat with prolonged moisture during its blooming season from late spring to early summer.
Diphylleia grayi is a slow-growing deciduous plant that reaches about 1.3 feet in height. After its flowering period, it produces small, deep-blue berries. The plant’s large leaves make it a point of interest even when the flowers are not in their transparent state.
The Science of Transparency
The transformation of the Skeleton Flower’s petals is a physical phenomenon related to its cellular anatomy, not pigment. The petals lack white pigmentation; their color in a dry state comes from the scattering of light. The cells have a loose, sponge-like arrangement with numerous air pockets between them.
When the petals are dry, these air-filled gaps cause light to scatter, which the human eye perceives as white, similar to how snow appears white. When rain falls, water seeps into the petals and fills these intercellular air spaces.
With the air pockets displaced by water, the refractive index of the petals changes. Light is no longer scattered as intensely and can pass directly through the tissue, resulting in a transparent appearance. As the petals dry and air returns to the spaces between cells, they revert to their opaque white state.
Other Plants with Translucent Features
The Skeleton Flower is not the only plant with translucent qualities. Other species have developed transparency as an adaptation, including “window plants” like Haworthia and Fenestraria. These succulents evolved to maximize sunlight exposure in harsh, arid climates.
Haworthia cooperi, for example, features fleshy leaves with translucent tips that grow at or below the soil surface. These clear “windows” allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the plant’s body, reaching photosynthetic tissues buried underground. This protects the plant from direct sun and extreme heat while still allowing it to produce energy.
Fenestraria rhopalophylla has club-shaped leaves with flat, transparent tops that function in the same way. These windows are the only part of the leaf visible above the sandy soil of its native habitat in Namibia and South Africa.
Cultivating Transparent Plants
Growing the Skeleton Flower requires simulating its native woodland habitat. Diphylleia grayi thrives in cool, shady locations with protection from harsh afternoon sun. It is suited for USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9 and requires consistently moist, but well-draining, soil rich in organic matter.
This plant is a slow grower and can be difficult to establish. It should be planted in a location sheltered from strong winds that could damage its flowers and leaves. Providing a microclimate that mimics a cool, damp forest floor is the best way to ensure its success.
In contrast, cultivating “window plants” like Haworthia and Fenestraria follows different guidelines. These succulents require bright, indirect sunlight and a gritty, well-draining soil mix. They should be watered sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent rot.