i don't know the answer to your question about the name, but part of the answer to the question about the "folding leaves" is that marantha plants tend to fold their leaves during a cycle pattern (24 +/- hours) at the end of each day. this can be part of the "evolutionary program" for the plant or one of "saving/conserving" the warmth & light collected during the day. i hope someone else has the rest of the answer, because i'd like to know too!!!