Common Name
Glush weed, Gulf Swampweed, Lake Hygrophila
Description
This plant was traded under the erroneous name Hygrophila corymbosa 'Angustifolia' and is recently identified by its flowers as Hygrophila costata at Tropica. This species, also known as Hygrophila guyanensis, is widespread from North to South America and very variable. Our offered plant develops very narrow, light green leaves under water which are not as long as those of the true H. corymbosa "Angustifolia". The stems grow strictly upright. In its emersed form the plant develops tiny white flowers in its leaf axils.
This Hygrophila is not too demanding, however it should be well lit. Before it reaches the water surface, it should be trimmed; the cuttings can be used for propagation. In open tanks it is also suitable as half-emersed plant, growing out of the water.
Hygrophila costata looks well as a bigger group in the midground to background. Due to its upright, strong stems it forms a vertical structure.
Hygrophila costata is a variable species. Several authors also count H. guianensis and the North-American H. lacustris among it. H. costata originates from the American tropics and subtropics, however, it has been introduced into Australia (Queensland) by the aquarium plant trade and is considered an invasive plant there today. The stems of the emersed form of H. costata are hairless or have very short hairs (not glandular), the leaves are lanceolate, shaped like a willow leaf, and the small white, 1 cm long flowers stand in groups of up over 10 in the leaf axils. The flowers are followed by spindle-shaped acuminate densely grouped fruits. H. costata, of American provenience, is quite similar to the plants of the Hygrophila salicifolia complex from Asia. However, it differs from them by its white flowers, among others. Hygrophila salicifolia has light purple to pink flowers.
Source
Flowgrow
Characteristic
Also known as Hygrophila guyanensis
Narrow-leaved stem plant from South America
Light green
Upright growth
Synonyms
Hygrophila guianensis Nees ex Benth., Hygrophila lacustris (Cham. & Schltdl.) Nees, Hygrophila lacustris Morong & Britton
Complete Botanical Name
Hygróphila costáta Nees
Family
Acanthaceae
Genus
Hygrophila
Category
Background
Difficulty
medium
Growth
fast
pH Value
5-7
Temperature Tolerance
18-30℃
Carbonate Hardness
0-7 dKH
General Hardness
0-30 °dGH
Propagation
Seeds, Cuttings
Can Grow Emersed?
yes
