Description
The Small Parrot Leaf or Water Hedge is often referred as "the species" Alternanthera reineckii. It got known in the aquarium hobby many years ago, but in contrast to other A. reineckii forms such as 'Rosaefolia' and 'Lilacina' it almost disappeared from cultivation and is far less known than those today. Despite its small size it is not to be confused with the popular Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'. Its submerged leaves mostly get only 2 cm long and 1 cm wide. However we have notice that with abundant nutrient and CO2 supply the leaves may get about 4-5 cm long and 1,7 cm broad. Good lighting provided, the upper side is light reddish green, also with red-orange tones. The lower side is light purple-red. Its growth habit is not as compact and bushy as the much darker coloured A. reineckii 'Mini'. The Small Parrot Leaf looks best when its stems have reached a height of only 10 to 30 cm.
Alternanthera reineckii originates from the southern part of South America, e.g. Bolivia and Argentina, where it occurs above and below water in floodplains and at the edges of rivers and ponds.
This small A. reineckii form is moderately demanding. It should be well lit; a nutrient-rich bottom and CO2 addition are beneficial. The plant prefers soft to medium hard, slightly acid water. The optimum temperatures lie between 17 and 25℃, however this plant tolerates a wide temperature range of 4 to 30℃.
Source
Flowgrow
Characteristic
Small Alternanthera form with light coloration
Up to 2 cm long leaves
Fits well in nano aquariums
Nowadays rare and little known
Complete Botanical Name
Alternanthéra reinéckii Briq.
Family
Amaranthaceae
Genus
Alternanthera
Trader Names
Telanthera osiris
Category
Foreground
Difficulty
medium
Growth
medium
Carbon Dioxide
need
pH Value
5-7
Temperature Tolerance
4-30℃
Carbonate Hardness
0-14 dKH
General Hardness
0-30 °dGH
Propagation
Cuttings
Can Grow Emersed?
yes
Height
10-30 cm
Width
3-4 cm
Colour
yellow, orange, reddish
