Cabomba furcata is a species of aquatic plant

Aquatic plant

Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments. They are also referred to as hydrophytes or aquatic macrophytes. These plants require special adaptations for living submerged in water, or at the water's surface. Aquatic plants can only grow in water or in soil that is...

 in the water shield family

Cabombaceae

Cabombaceae is the botanical name of a family of flowering plants. The family has been recognised as distinct by at least some taxonomists and by APG III...

 known by the common names red cabomba and forked fanwort. It is native to South America and as far north as Cuba

Cuba

The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...

 and the tip of Florida

Florida

Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...

. It reaches a maximum height between 30 and 80 centimeters and is up to 8 centimeters wide. It bears purple flowers.

This is used as an aquarium

Aquarium

An aquarium is a vivarium consisting of at least one transparent side in which water-dwelling plants or animals are kept. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, marine mammals, turtles, and aquatic plants...

 plant. It can be difficult to grow because it requires more light than most aquariums can provide. Soft water and carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...

addition are also necessary for optimum growth. It should be planted in groups, but not too close to stop sufficient light reaching the lower leaves. It can be propagated by cuttings and lateral shoots.