Vallisneria spiralis

Taxobox
name = "Vallisneria spiralis"

---

image_width = 220px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Alismatales
familia = Hydrocharitaceae
genus = "Vallisneria"
species = "V. spiralis"
binomial = "Vallisneria spiralis"
binomial_authority = L.
synonyms = "V. gracilis" "V. physicum" "V. caulescens"

"Vallisneria spiralis", also known as Straight Vallisneria, Tape grass, or Eel grass is a common aquarium plant that prefers good light and a nutrient rich substrate. In the wild, it can be found in tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. It has narrow, linear leaves that range in colour from a pale-green to reddish up to 3 feet (1 m) long and up to 0.75 inches broad. "V. spiralis" is monoecious with flowers carried on long spiral stalks that break away from the plant and float on the water's surface. Seeds have not been observed germinating in aquaria. Instead, it most often propagates by runners which can lead to dense stands.

One form of this plant has been described: "V. spiralis" f. "tortifolia", which has also been elevated to the species level by some taxonomists under the name "V. tortissima". The form has tightly twisted leaves. Along with this form, many other trade names have been developed for small variations on the species. Their taxonomic status is uncertain.

External links

* [http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_spiralis.php AquaHobby]
* [http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_tortissima.php AquaHobby "var. tortissima"]
* [http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PlantedTksSubWebIndex/vallisneria.htm Wet Web Media]
* [http://www.tropica.com/productcard_1.asp?id=055A Tropica spiralis 'Tiger']
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Vallisneria+spiralis Plants for a Future]