Microcarpaea minima

Microcarpaea minima is a small, tender wetland plant from Southeast Asia, Japan and northern Australia that is able to grow above and under water. It occurs in and by shallow, warm, periodic waters such as puddles and rice fields, also on riverbanks. It is the only species of the genus Microcarpaea and belongs to the same family as Glossostigma (Phrymaceae). It was first introduced as aquarium plant from West Kalimantan by Wim Tomey (Netherlands) and is still a rarity in the aquarium hobby. In the tissue culture line of ADA it is labeled as Microcarpaea minima Merrill; the last part is the author citation of the species name. In its terrestrial form this plantlet forms low cushions with 3-5 cm long, narrow leaves and small, pale purple flowers on thin stems. The submerged stems grow rather upright, much branched and a little chaotic in all directions, with up to 20 mm long and 1-2 mm wide leaves.

Little known foreground plant Bushy growth Freshly green colour Rare in the trade

Foreground

need