Description
Persicaria sp. "Porto Velho" is an aquatic knotweed from Brazil that is still rare in the hobby in Europe. It is probably Persicaria rubricaulis but its species identity is not yet confirmed. It. has narrow leaves with lobes at the base, very much like Persicaria praetermissa from Asia and Australia, and a horizontal to ascending growth habit. Under good lights and an ample nutrient supply, its leaves assume an attractive reddish-brown tone. The central vein and some of the lateral veins are of a lighter colour, the leaf underside is wine red. Also in its terrestrial (emersed) form, this Persicaria grows creeping to ascending. Its emersed leaves are medium to dark green, the stem is dark red.
As well as all Persicarias, this plant has a relatively high demand for macro- and micronutrients that are also taken up from the substrate. CO2 addition is recommendable. Rather strong lighting enhances its red-brown coloration. This plant ramifies rather sparsely by itself. As well as other stem plants, it is propagated by cuttings.
This uncommon stem plant is most effective when planted as a loose free-standing group in the midground, it needs a bit of space due to its spread. It contrasts well with light green plants with its red-brown coloration. Persicaria sp. "Porto Velho" is also interesting as emersed plant for paludariums and Wabi-Kusa.
Source
Flowgrow
Characteristic
Unique lanceolate, hastate leaves
Light reddish-brown colours
Slanting to horizontal growth habit
Rare, hardly available in trade elsewhere
Family
Polygonaceae
Genus
Persicaria
Category
Background
Difficulty
medium
Growth
fast
Carbon Dioxide
need
pH Value
5-7
Temperature Tolerance
18-30℃
Carbonate Hardness
0-14 dKH
General Hardness
0-30 °dGH
Propagation
Cuttings
Can Grow Emersed?
yes
