Description
This sword plant is labeled by the nursery Tropica as Echinodorus cordifolius 'Fluitans'. According to Tropica it originates from Mexico. In contrast to "typical" Echinodorus cordifolius, "Fluitans" does not have roundish, deeply heart-shaped, but elongate, ovate leaves. It does not grow out of the water as readily as several other E. cordifolius forms, making it a well-suited submerged aquarium plant. This Echinodorus forms a lush, about 30-50 cm tall and at least 30 cm wide leaf rosette. The submerged foliage is light to medium green, newly appearing leaves may show slightly reddish tones.
The plant is mostly delivered in its emersed (terrestrial) form with long stalked aerial leaves, but after planting into the tank shorter stalked submerged leaves will appear, and the older emersed foliage can be cut off. As well as other Echinodorus, it benefits much from nutrient supply by the substrate. There are no special demands on the water chemistry; it grows well in soft to medium hard water with temperatures around 20-28℃. CO2 supply is not strictly necessary but may enhance its growth. Under favorable conditions inflorescences with adventitious plantlets can be expected. When the young plants are strong enough, they can be cut off and replanted.
Echinodorus cordifolius "Fluitans" is primarily a solitary plant for the midground to background, due to its size best in larger, spacious, at least 50 cm high aquariums. In contrast to the many red or strikingly spotted Echinodorus hybrid cultivars, it has a natural appearance due to its green coloration.
Characteristic
Large, entirely green solitary plant
Elongate, ovate leaves
No high demands
Comparatively fast growing
Category
Middle Ground
Carbon Dioxide
need
