Page 198 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

196 FRESHWATER PLANT DIRECTORY

Barclaya longifolia Bacopa caroliniana Glossostigma elatinoides
Orchid Lily Giant Red Bacopa Glosso

ORIGINS Southeast Asia, occurring from Myanmar ORIGINS Found naturally from southern parts of the ORIGINS Found in Australia, in New South Wales and
(Burma) to parts of Thailand and Malaysia. United States into northern Mexico. Tasmania, and also in New Zealand.
SIZE Up to 12 in (30 cm) across. SIZE Stems can grow up to 12 in (30 cm) long. SIZE About 1 in (2.5 cm) in height.
WATER Temperature 77–86°F (25–30°C); soft WATER Temperature 68–75°F (20–24°C); hard WATER Temperature 68–82°F (20–28°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and around neutral (pH 6.8–7.2). (100–150 mg/l) and around neutral (pH 6.5–7.5). (50–100 mg/l) and around neutral (pH 6.5–7.5).
PROPAGATION Small plantlets on the rhizome can be PROPAGATION Strip off the lower two pairs of leaves PROPAGATION Clumps can be split up and used as
split off and planted. May also be propagated from seed. from the stem and plant in the substrate as a clump. cuttings. Alternatively, runners can be used.
The Orchid Lily produces a series of attractive This small plant is ideal for the foreground of the
upright leaves and may even bloom on occasion. tank, creating a pleasing carpet of growth that
The red flower produced is able to self-fertilize. provides a refuge for fish fry. It spreads through
Under brightly lit conditions, the leaves will be the substrate and benefits from small amounts
green, but relatively subdued lighting will bring of aquarium plant fertilizer. If its surroundings
out a more brownish tone. The substrate must be are not well lit, Glosso will become taller and
nonalkaline for this plant to thrive. rather straggly in appearance.

The leaves of this plant have no stalk but attach
directly to the stems. They display a rich coppery
color in bright light but appear more green under
subdued illumination. A variegated form is also
sometimes available. In the wild, the Giant Red
Bacopa often grows as a bog plant above the water,
but it thrives equally well submerged in a tank.

Alternanthera lilacina
Red Telanthera

ORIGINS Grows widely throughout tropical regions
of South America.
SIZE Can grow up to 12 in (30 cm) high.
WATER Temperature 72–86°F (22–30°C); soft
(50–100 mg/l) and acidic (pH 6.0–6.5).
PROPAGATION Easily propagated by means of cuttings,
which will root readily in the substrate.
This plant may be found growing above the water’s
surface in its native habitat, but it adapts well to
cultivation underwater in an aquarium. Red
Telanthera will be seen in its full depth of color
only if the tank is brightly lit. The upper surface of
the leaves tends to be greenish with red hues, while
purplish-red coloration is concentrated on the
undersides. This plant is a good choice for a
themed Amazon tank, although it can also be used
in a community aquarium. Red Telanthera is best
placed at the sides of the tank, or toward the rear.
Set cuttings into the substrate so that they grow
to form a dense clump, and place green plants of
a similar height nearby in order to emphasize the
contrasting leaf colors. Make sure you strip off the
lower leaves from Red Telanthera before planting,
because they will rot if they are buried. Use small
rocks to weigh down the bases of the cuttings
until they root and become established.

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