Description
The Creeping burhead is a large swamp plant, occurring from eastern North America to South America. It is found on lakeshores, in ponds, ditches and swamps. Echinodorus cordifolius is able to grow submerged for some time, developing short-stalked leaves. However, under favorable conditions long-stalked, broadly heart-shaped aerial leaves will appear. The plant regularly develops long inflorescences with showy white flowers and adventitious plantlets. The name "Creeping burhead" relates to the fact that the older inflorescences with developing young plants lay down on the ground.
The nurseries produce several different plants under the name Echinodorus cordifolius. There are especially large plants with roundish, coarse leaves that are probably Echinodorus floribundus rather than E. cordifolius. However, both species are best suited as half-emersed plants for open tanks where they make a showy, up to one meter tall specimen plant with striking foliage and white flowers.
As well as other Echinodorus, this plant grows best with a nutrient-rich substrate and rather strong lighting. Bottom fertilizers such as Tropica Nutrition Capsules may help against nutrient deficiencies, also loam balls in the substrate may be beneficial. It is possible to keep younger plants under water by cutting off newly appearing long-stalked leaves, however strong plants will grow out of the water sooner or later. This Echinodorus can be propagated by cutting off young adventitious plantlets from the inflorescence.
As mentioned, Echinodorus cordifolius is primarily a striking swamp plant for open aquariums and tall paludariums (more than 1 m high).
Characteristic
Large swamp plant from North to South America
Broad, heart-shaped leaves
Showy white flowers
Recommendable for open tanks
Category
Middle Ground
