Hygrophila difformis Water wisteria

Water Wisteria, Wisteria

Hygrophila difformis, the water wisteria, is an amphibious plant from waters in tropical Asia. For many years it is popular as a beautiful and undemanding aquarium plant. Its submerged shoots have lobed, freshly green leaves and become 6-12 cm wide and at least 30 cm tall. This Hygrophila is easy to grow and also recommendable for beginners. However it is somewhat susceptible to micronutrient deficiency, indicated by pale leaves. Medium lighting is sufficient. It should be noted that the emersed (terrestrial) form of Hygrophila difformis differs much from the underwater form. After planting in the tank it develops the typical divided submerged foliage. Hygrophila difformis is especially beautiful in the midground or background of large aquariums where it can create a distinctive group. With its fast growth, it is recommendable for newly started tanks where it can compete with algae. Hygrophila difformis is a very beautiful plant, and has been in cultivation in the aquarium hobby for many years. It originates from South and South-East Asia, where it grows in boggy areas. In Asia the plant is used in traditional medicine. There are only few plants easier to cultivate in an aquarium than this one. It grows well under moderate light, however, more intensive lighting benefits its health and overall volume. Lots of light, CO₂ injection and a good nutrient supply lead to enormous growth rates. This makes it a great plant for newly set-up tanks, as it can absorb large amounts of nutrients, thus helping to keep ammonium levels down. Its pinnate leaves grow more refinedly under lots of light. Parameters like water hardness and the pH do not play an important role for H. difformis, and it also grows very fast in tanks with no CO₂ injection. However, micronutrients including iron should be added to the tank, as this plant reacts strongly to a lack of these elements. The submersed and emersed forms of H. difformis differ strongly (see fig.5). The shoots of the emersed form creep on the ground, their leaves are unparted, with a serrated margin, and blue-violet flowers develop in the leaf axils. They are covered in sticky glandular hairs and have a strong scent. When planted in an aquarium, these shoots form submersed leaves withing a few weeks, and the old emersed leaves die off. Propagation is easy, as for most stem plants. Just cut off the upper part of the plant and re-plant it into the substrate. It will form roots very quickly and resume strong growth, whereas the old part you left in the substrate will throw lots of lateral shoots. Frequent trimming will result in beautifully bushy plants. H. difformis can grow quite large and is thus not very well-suited for smaller tanks. In large aquariums, however, it can be a real plus. Its leaf form makes it a beautiful contrast to other species with differently formed leaves.

Flowgrow

Divided, freshly green leaves Especially decorative in large tanks Undemanding Fast growing

Cardanthera triflora (Roxb.) Buch.-Ham. ex Voigt, Hygrophila triflora (Roxb.) Fosberg & Sachet, Ruellia difformis L. f., Ruellia triflora Roxb., Synnema triflorum Kuntze

Hygróphila diffórmis (L. f.) Blume

Acanthaceae

Hygrophila

Background

very easy

fast

need

6-7

18-30℃

2-21 dKH

0-30 °dGH

Cuttings

yes