Ammania gracilis

Taxobox
name = Ammania gracilis
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Lythraceae
genus = "Ammannia"
species = "A. gracilis"
binomial = "Ammania gracilis"
binomial_authority = Guillemin & Perrotter (1833)

Common names

Large / Red / Pink / Delicate Ammania; Cognac plant

nb. Ammania is alternately spelled Ammannia

Origin

West Africa

Description

Stem plants with narrow, rather wavy leaves, growing opposite on an often robust stem. Depending on the light intensity, the leaves vary from a pale green to a bronzy red colour. They can grow to about 5 - 8 inches (12-20cm) or longer.

The flowers are inconspicuous growing from the leaf axils of emerse plants.

Cultivation

These plants prefer a lot of light for optimum growth. They can grow quickly in the right conditions and will grow emerse if the water is shallow enough. They grow well with additional CO2 added to the water. Ideal water conditions are soft and acidic but these plants are generally hardy and adaptable in most moderate conditions. To grow well they need a good iron micronutrient added to the aquarium.

They can be easily propagated by cuttings pushed into the substrate.

External links

* [http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder/details.php?id=118 Aquatic Central - illustrated]
* [http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_ammannia.php AquaHobby]