Limnophila barteri Barter's Limnophila

This small, appealing stem plant was introduced to Europe under the name Limnophila sp. "Guinea Broad Leaf" around the year 2008. It is a rarity in the aquarium hobby so far. Recently (2021) the plant was identified by Christel Kasselmann as Limnophila barteri. This species is widespread in tropical Africa, from Senegal to Tanzania and Zambia. It is an annual plant in nature, growing emersed and submerged depending on the water level, along rivers and in swamps in grassland. Its terrestrial form has broad, roundish, opposite leaves and tiny white flowers. Under aquarium conditions, it develops slit, luminous light green with quite broad lobes. These are arranged in worls of about sex leaves along the stem. The shoots are about 3 to 4 cm wide, branched, with a spreading, slanted growth habit. They form an about 10 cm high bush. The plant grows moderately fast under good conditions. Limnophila barteri is a rather demanding aquarium plant. We recommend soft water, CO₂ addition, good lighting and a balanced macro- and micronutrient supply, also via the substrate. As well as other stem plants, it can be propagated by cuttings. In emersed culture, this Limnophila readily flowers and sets fruits that are capsules with tiny seeds. After the seeds are ripe, the emersed plant normally dies, typical for an annual plant. The seeds germinate on a moist substrate. Limnophila barteri is a special gem in the foreground and midground, also in smaller aquariums. It is an eyecatcher with its light green, lobed leaves. One of many new plants in the aquarium hobby in 2008 was Limnophila sp. "Guinea Broad-Leaf". Since then, it has spread rapidly among hobbyists (at least in the USA, whereas it is rather little known in Europe). With the help of Rick van der Tuin (Niederlande), Christel Kasselmann succeded in determining the plant in its emersed, flowering form as Limnophila barteri (Facebook post from 12. August 2021). This species is widespread in tropical Africa, from Senegal in the west to Tanzania and Zambia in East Africa. As it doesn't seem suitable for commercial reproduction, swapping or trade with other hobbyists or bying in specialised shops seems to be the only way to obtain this special Limnophila.

Flowgrow

Also known as Limnophila sp. "Guinea Broad Leaf" Rare Limnophila from tropical Africa Freshly light green colour Low growth habit

Limnophila sp. ''Guinea Broad-Leaf''

Limnóphila bárteri Skan

Plantaginaceae

Limnophila

Background

medium

fast

need

5-7

0-7 dKH

0-30 °dGH

Cuttings

yes

well-branched, bushy