Echinodorus angustifolius

Taxobox
color = lightgreen
name = Echinodorus angustifolius
regnum = Plant
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Alismatales
familia = Alismataceae
genus = "Echinodorus"
species = "E. angustifolius"
binomial = "Echinodorus angustifolius"
binomial_authority = Rataj in Mono. Genus Ecinodorus Rich., 1975

Note: Haynes & Neilson classify this species under "E. bolivianus" but the latest revision by Rataj (2004) keeps it distinct. There is mention that it may be triploid, whereas "bolivianus" is diploid.

ynonyms

"E. pusilla"; "E. tenellus" var. "latifolius"

Description

Submersed leaves ribbon-shaped or narrowly lanceolate, light-green, 30 - 40 - 50 cm long x 5 - 8 - 10 mm wide. Each plant may possess as many as 20 leaves. Emersed leaves (6) - 10 - 15 cm x 0.6 - 1 cm with narrowly lanceolate blades, resembling "E. tenellus" and "E. latifolius". Infloresence erect 15 - 25 cm long with 2 - 3 whorls. Pedicels 1 - 3 cm long; corolla 1.2 - 1.5 cm in diameter, pistils green; achenes 1.2 - 1.6 mm long, 3 ribbed.

Differs from "E. latifolius" by indistinct differentiation of emerse leaves into petiole and blade, green pistils and ribbon-shaped leaves.

Distribution

Brazil (Matto Grosso region)

Cultivation

Only discovered fairly recently. It is a pity it is not more widely available as it seems very suited to submerse life. It look rather like "Vallisneria" when growing well.

It prefers a sandy soil and sub-tropical temperatures (though it will grow in warmer waters). Medium to high light. It forms pseudo-stolons which root easily. Grows well submerse and propagates easily. In emerse conditions it seems to be dwarfed and may not grow so well.

External Ref.

* [http://www.echinodorus-online.de/Deutsch/Arten/angustifolius/angustifolius.html Echinodorus - German text but useful photographs]
* [http://www.tropica.dk/productcard_1.asp?id=067B Tropica]