Ammania sengalensis

Taxobox
name = Ammania senegalensis
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Lythraceae
genus = "Ammannia"
species = "A. senegalensis"
binomial = "Ammania senegalensis"
binomial_authority = Lamarck

Common names

Copper Leaf Ammania

nb. Ammania is commonly mis-spelt Ammannia

Origin

West SenegalFound as a weed in rice paddies in the region.

Description

Stem plants with opposite leaves, starting out green and rather broad, later they become more narrow and reddish in colour. The leaves become more red under intense light. There are several forms available differing in leaf shape and colour of unknown status.

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.

References

* Turrill, W. B. et al., eds. 1952–. Flora of tropical East Africa.