Description
Limnophila hippuridoides is a beautiful stem plant from the Malayan peninsula, often erroneously called Limnophila aromatica that is a closely related species. However it differs from L. aromatica by considerably more than three leaves per whorl. Its shoots are about 6-10 cm wide. The submerged leaves are reddish to intensely dark red with purplish tones on the underside. Contrasting with the leaves, the stemis mostly light green. Limnophila hippuridoides is usually delivered in its terrestrial (emersed) form, with rather green leaves. Planted under water, the plant will develop its colourful submerged shoots.
Intense lighting and a good nutrient and CO2 supply are important for the well-being of this plant. Soft to medium-hard water is recommended, temperatures between about 22 and 27℃ are optimal. It is propagated by cuttings.
This strong, fast-growing Limnophila is a true eye-catcher as an about 20-50 cm tall group in the midground or background of a larger aquarium.
Limnophila hippuridoides is a marshweed found under various names in trade for several years: "Limnophila aromatica", "L. aromaticoides", "L. hippuroides" (incorrectly written) and even "Gratiola officinalis" (a totally different species). L. hippuridoides is native to the Malayan peninsula (Malakka). It is closely related to L. aromatica and L. aromaticoides. In botanical literature it has hitherto been treated as species in its own right. It mainly differs from the other two species in flower and fruit characteristics, however, there are also some differences to be observed in the submersed forms (according to Kasselmann 2010generalreferences#1):- Limnophila aromatica: 2-3 leaves per stem node, of variable colour, reddish hues or green (very variable species). - Limnophila aromaticoides (often treated as synonym of L. aromatica): 3-8 leaves per stem node, overall plant colour is exclusively light green- Limnophila hippuridoides: 6-8 leaves per stem node, colour reddish to intensively dark red. Similar to both other species, crushed leaves of L. hippuridoides smell more or less distinctly aromatic.
Source
Flowgrow
Characteristic
Eyecatcher with spectacular colour
With dense foliage
Narrow leaf form
Light to dark red to purple hues
Complete Botanical Name
Limnóphila hippuridoídes Philcox
Family
Plantaginaceae
Genus
Limnophila
Misapplied Names
Limnophila aromatica, Gratiola officinalis
Trader Names
Limnophila hippuroides gratiola sp.
Category
Background
Difficulty
medium
Growth
fast
Carbon Dioxide
need
pH Value
6-7
Temperature Tolerance
15-30℃
Carbonate Hardness
2-12 dKH
General Hardness
0-30 °dGH
Propagation
Cuttings
Can Grow Emersed?
yes
Aquascaping
very colourful plant for accents
