May 31, 2011

POTAMOGETON DENSUS

Potamogeton densus

Family Potamogetonaceae. The term is derived from two Greek words meaning “living near the river.” Distribution Europe, Asia, North Africa. Description Perennial submerged plant with creeping rhizome; cylindrical stem; oval, lanceolate or nea> y linear light green leaves, joined to the stem by a dilated base.

Propagation By cuttings. The tips are cut and embedded in the soil.

Environment Temperature: 50-59 °F (10-15 °C), but able to survive at lower temperatures; it has been a popular plant for cold aquaria. pH: neutral or slightly alkaline. Water hardness: medium. Illumination: intense. So//; sand and mud.

Note Potamogeton densus is often used to oxygenate and purify the water of cold aquaria, where it grows well as long as the light level issufficent. In general, species of the genus Potamogeton are not considered best for warm-water aquarium use.

 

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May 31, 2011

BANANA PLANT

Nymphoides aquatica

Family Gentianaceae. Nymphoides means water lily-like, referring to the resemblance between these ¡w0 plants.

Distribution Atlantic coast of North America, particularly Florida.

Description Adult leaves varying from rounded to kidney-shaped, 3-4 in (8-1 Ocm) in diameter. Submerged leaves, light green with dark red netlike patterns aerial leaves more intensely green, dark red on the reverse and heavily spotted. This plant is called the “banana plant” because the top part of the root is swollen and resembles a bunch of bananas. The plant will flower only if it is partly submerged. Its flowers are white and rather small.

Propagation By division of the shoots that grow on the leaf stalks. The shoots grow tufts of swollen young roots.

Environment Temperature: 50-77 “F (10-25 :C) best around 64-68 °F (18-20 °C). pH: neutral. Water hardness: medium. Illumination: bright, but not excessive. So/7: sandy.

Note This plant is suitable for temperate and wa.nn aquaria.

 

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May 31, 2011

HYGROPHILA

Hygrophila

Family Acanthaceae. The generic name is derived from Greek words meaning “humidity-loving.” Distribution Tropical America, Asia. Description This genus includes perennial plants both surface-living and submerged, with herbaceous or semiwoody stems. The leaves are arranged on oppos te sides of the stem, oblong or lanceolate, often point’d, light green, slightly darker when growing in air.ne genus contains some twenty species, a quarter of which are suitable for aquarium use. Propagation By cuttings.Environment Temperature: 59-77 °F (15-25 C), but the extremes may vary by a few degrees. pH: neutral. Water hardness. medium. Illumination: normal to intense. Soil. Sandy.

 

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May 31, 2011

WATER MOSS

Fontinalis antipyretica

Family Fontinalaceae. Fontinalis is derived from ihe Latin fons, fontis (spring), referring to one of the preferred habitats of this moss; antipyretica is due to an qI^ belief in its fever-reducing properties. Distribution Northern hemisphere. Description Typical of cold and usually running waters; this species forms tufts of leafy stems 12-20 in (30-50 cm) long, anchored to the bottom or to a rod or stone These carry numerous oval or pointed dark g en leaves arranged on opposite sides of the stem, at most fin (1 cm) long, ¿in (.5cm) wide and with a marked ridge on the back. Propagation Vegetative.

Environment Clean water. Temperature: 50-5 i F (10-15 “C). pH: neutral. Water hardness: medium. Illumination: good, but not excessive. Too much light leads to excessive growth of algae, which enshroud the moss. Soil: mixture of sand and peat. Note Fontinalis antipyretica is suited only to cold aquaria. High temperatures cause rapid wilting.

 

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May 31, 2011

CRYPTOCORYNE LINGUA

Cryptocoryne lingua

Family Araceae. Distribution Borneo.

Description Beautiful small plant, at most 4in (10 cm) high. The leaves, which resemble little spatulas are oval, bright green and fleshy, with a round tip; the leaf base narrows into the stalk, which constitutes half to two-thirds of the length of the leaf. Propagation Easy propagation by rhizome division Note that aerial plants multiply more rapidly than submerged ones.

Environment Temperature: best around 77 (25 °C), but the plant will live well between 60 (16 °C) and 86 °F (30 °C). pH: slightly acid. Water hardness: very soft. Illumination: C. lingua, like all Cryptocoryne species, does not require too much light and even shuns excessive light. Soil: the best soil would be composed of equal parts of sand, field earth and clay b 9ioiii2i314 however, the plant will grow in sand alone.

 

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May 31, 2011

CRYPTOCORYNE

Cryptocoryne

Family Araceae. The name Cryptocoryne is derived from the Greek kryptos (hidden) and koryne (club) referring to the club-shaped arrangement of flowers on the stem enclosed in a sheath of leaves. Distribution Tropical Asia.

Description Members of the genus Cryptocoryne , q aquatic, perennial, stoloniferous plants (producing shoots and buds) with oblong or linear leaves sometimes chordal or oval. Cryptocoryne beckettii is a species that exists in several forms. Its leaves are 4 in (10 cm) or so long and f in (2 cm) wide, with slightly wavy veins. 0- 9 of its forms has reddish median and lateral edges. Propagation By division of the rhizome (the underwater base of the stem).

Environment Temperature: 68-86°F (20-30 3Ci. best around 77 “F (25 “C). pH: slightly acid. Water hardness: soft or very soft. Illumination: normal. Soil: sand may be sufficient, but one-third loam, one-third garden earth and one-third sand is recommended. Note Cryptocoryne species are probably the best plants to use in warm aquaria.

 

 

 

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May 31, 2011

APONOGETON ULVACEUS

 

Family Aponogetonaceae. Distribution Madagascar.

Description This is probably the Aponogeton specks most suited to aquarium use; its leaves are approximately 10 in (25cm) long with wavy, translucent pale green blades. In turbulent water Aponogeton ulvaceus may exhibit a certain variety of shapes, with longer and narrower or shorter and wider leaves, depending on the current.

Propagation By division of offshoots; propagatii i by seeding is more difficult and rarely succeeds. Environment Temperature. 68-74 “F (20-23 C) with frequent, if partial, renewal. pH: neutral. Water hardness: soft Illumination: normal, diffuse if possible Soil: sandy, a mixture of coarse sand and mud.


 

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May 31, 2011

APONOGETON HENKELIANUS

Aponogeton henkeiianus

Family Aponogetonaceae. Distribution Madagascar.

Description Similar in appearance and form to Aponogeton fenestralis. The oblong and variously si? ;(j leaves differ from those of A. fenestralis only in their color, which is brownish, while the stalks are reddisl Propagation By division of the offshoots, rather more difficult by seed; when done by seed, water temperature should be 68-77 °F (20-25 °C). Environment Temperature: Usually between 60 F (16 °C) and 68 °F (20 °C). with possible extremes of 57 T (14 °C) and 76 °F (24 X). The water must be undisturbed and frequently renewed. pH: neutral oi. at most, slightly acid. Illumination. normal, if possible diffuse. Soil: sandy, a mixture of coarse sand and a lit e mud.

 

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