Rotala rotundifolia

Taxobox
name = "Rotala rotundifolia"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Lythraceae
genus = "Rotala"
species = "R. rotundifolia"
binomial = "Rotala rotundifolia"
binomial_authority = (Buch.-Ham. ex Roxb.) Koehne

ynonyms

"Ammania rotundifolia" Hamilton; "Ammania latifolia" Wallich "pro parte"; "Ammania subspicata" Bentham; "Ameletia rotundifolias" Dalzell ex Gibson; "Ameletias subspicata" Bentham

Often confused with "Rotala indica".

"sp." Green is sold in the aquarium trade but is of uncertain status

Distribution

India, China, Formosa, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam - introduced to the United States

Ecology

A common weed in rice paddies and wet places

Description

The emerse form has rounded leaves, the submerse leaves are narrow lanceolate. It is very variable dependent on light and environmental conditions. Under strong light the leaves can become almost wine red. Pale pink flowers.This plant can be differentiated from the closely related "R. indica" by the differences in the two species' inflorescences. "R. rotundifolia" bears groups of terminal inflorescence while "R. indica" has solitary flowers on the axis of the leaves.

Cultivation

A common aquarium plant. Undemanding but likes a lot of light to thrive. Can withstand relatively cool temperatures. Losing its lower leaves usually means it is not receiving enough light. Can be grown emerse in shallow water where it will flower. Forms a good clump under reasonable conditions.

Propagated by cuttings which form as side shoots.

References

* Cook. C.D.K. 1976. A revision of the genus Rotala. Boissiera 29:1-156.

External links

* [http://www.tropica.dk/productcard_1.asp?id=033 Tropica]
* [http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_rotala.php AquaHobby]
* [http://cars.er.usgs.gov/Nonindigenous_Species/Rotala_rotundifolia/rotala_rotundifolia.html US introduction]
* [http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_viewer.php?id=186 Plant Geek - illustrated]
* [http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder/details.php?id=103 sp Green]