Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia
Merrill (1919)
Family: Araceae. Synonyms: None.
Etymology: Cryptocoryne: see C. affinis: aponogetifolia: Aponogeton-leaved (genus Aponogeton).
Distribution: Philippines (Luzon, Panay, Negros).
Description: Aquatic plant. Leaves up to 100 cm petiolate. Leaf blade very narrow elliptical to strap-shaped, up to 50 cm long, 2-4 cm wide, very highly bullate, medium to dark green. Apex acute; base acute. Midrib distinct.
Spathe 13-25 cm long, up to 20 cm petiolate. Tube 7-17 cm long. Limb 4-6 cm, long caudate and twirled several times, erect, interior wrinkled, purple-red. A collar is missing. Throat zone smooth, purple-red. Female flowers 6-8. Male flowers 60-70. Number of chromosomes 2n = 34. Culture: Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia belongs to those Cryptocoryne species kept most frequently. Cultivation is unproblematic and is also possible in hard water, as well as a calcium-rich substrate. The species requires little light. Due to the strong rhizomes and strong root development, a coarse-grained sand-gravel substrate with a height of at least 8 cm is recommended. The optimum temperature range is 21-27 °C. Once the plants have taken root they will quickly propagate through runners. Due to its over 1-m long leaves, C. aponogetifolia is especially suited for the planting of side and rear panels in very high aquariums. Inflorescences develop only in submersed plants but are rare in cultivation. Emersed keeping is not recommended. Ecology: According to Schulze (1978) and Bogner (1984), the species prospers in rivers with fast-flowing water in depths of up to 2 m. The specimens usually grow submersed in dense populations in gravelly-sandy basalt soil or in residual soil of limestone in shaded or sunny places.
Other: For less high aquariums, C. hudoroi and C. usteriana, both similar in appearance, are a good alternatives to C. aponogetifolia.
Cryptocoryne aponogetifolia.
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