Description
This very decorative Limnophila was discovered by David Wilson in the Moyle river (Northern Territory, Australia) and described as a new species in 2019 by the aquatic plant expert Christel Kasselmann. In the nature it was found in flowing, clear, soft water in full sun, in depths up to more than 1 m. It is also able to grow emersed, and its flowers will only appear on emersed shoots. Limnophila wilsonii differs from the similar species L. australis, L. brownii and L. indica mainly by features of its flowers and emersed leaves. With its very finely pinnate, light green foliage it also resembles the Giant Ambulia, Limnophila aquatica, but has smaller leaf whorls with a diameter of about 5-7 cm. As well as other Limnophilas with pinnate leaves, it forms upright stems as well as runner-like, creeping shoots.
Limnophila wilsonii grows best with rather soft water, strong lighting, CO2 addition and regular macro- and micronutrient supply. Higher temperatures up to about 29℃ are well tolerated. The growth is quite fast. As well as other stem plants it can be propagated by stem cuttings, however it also multiplies itself by the mentioned runners that give rise to new upright stems.
With its finely textured, luminously green foliage, Wilson's Ambulia is a nice eyecatcher in the midground to background of not too small aquariums. It provides an alternative to the similar but more space-consuming Limnophila aquatica. This Limnophila is also an appropriate plant for "geographically correct" tanks with fishes and plants from tropical northern Australia.
Characteristic
New Ambulia species from Australia
Very fine leaf segments
Luminous light-green coloration
Smaller than the similar Limnophila aquatica
Category
Background
Carbon Dioxide
need
