Echinodorus cordifolius
Encyclopedia
Synonyms
E. radicans Engelmann; Alisma cordifolia Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 343. 1753Distribution
Found in wetlandWetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
s in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
In USA it occurs in the southeastern states, to Virginia, Illinois and Texas. It is also found in Mexico and the northern states of South America.
Description
Herbs, perennialPerennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
, stout, to 100 cm; rhizomes present. Leaves
Leaves
-History:Vocalist Arnar Gudjonsson was formerly the guitarist with Mower, and he was joined by Hallur Hallsson , Arnar Ólafsson , Bjarni Grímsson , and Andri Ásgrímsson . Late in 2001 they played with Emiliana Torrini and drew early praise from the New York Times...
emersed, submersed leaves mostly absent; petiole 5--6-ridged, 17.5--45 cm; blade with translucent markings distinct lines, ovate to elliptic, 6.5--32 ´ 2.5--19.1 cm, base truncate to cordate. Inflorescences racemes, of 3--9 whorls, each 3--15-flowered, decumbent to arching, to 62 ´ 8--18 cm, often proliferating; peduncles terete, 35--56 cm; rachis triangular; bracts distinct, subulate, 10--21 mm, coarse, margins coarse; pedicels erect to ascending, 2.1--7.5 cm. Flowers to 25 mm wide; sepals spreading, 10--12-veined, veins papillate; petals not clawed; stamens 22; anthers versatile; pistils 200--250. Fruits oblanceolate, plump, 3--4-ribbed, abaxially 1-keeled, 2--3.5 ´ 0.9--1.5 mm; glands 3--4; beak terminal,1--1.3 mm. 2n = 22.
Echinodorus cordifolius is very easily determined, as it is the only species with arching to decumbent inflorescences. In addition, it is the only one with papillate veins on the sepals.
Cultivation
Easily cultivated in neutral to soft water and tropical to sub-tropical temperatures. Rich substrate and good light. Common in the cultivated aquariumAquarium
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...
trade.
Emersed plants readily produce flowers and seeds
SEEDS
SEEDS is a voluntary organisation registered under the Societies Act of India....
but it can be grown submersed as well. Most plants sold are grown emersed on plant farms. Once submerged, leaves
Leaves
-History:Vocalist Arnar Gudjonsson was formerly the guitarist with Mower, and he was joined by Hallur Hallsson , Arnar Ólafsson , Bjarni Grímsson , and Andri Ásgrímsson . Late in 2001 they played with Emiliana Torrini and drew early praise from the New York Times...
may die off before underwater leaves
Leaves
-History:Vocalist Arnar Gudjonsson was formerly the guitarist with Mower, and he was joined by Hallur Hallsson , Arnar Ólafsson , Bjarni Grímsson , and Andri Ásgrímsson . Late in 2001 they played with Emiliana Torrini and drew early praise from the New York Times...
develop. In the 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...
grow in the background as a specimen plant. Will soon outgrow a smaller 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...
but removing the floating leaves
Leaves
-History:Vocalist Arnar Gudjonsson was formerly the guitarist with Mower, and he was joined by Hallur Hallsson , Arnar Ólafsson , Bjarni Grímsson , and Andri Ásgrímsson . Late in 2001 they played with Emiliana Torrini and drew early praise from the New York Times...
will help keep it smaller and submerse. Needs a large, deep 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...
to grow properly. CO2 infusion helps stronger growth. A heavy feeder and for optimum growth a rich substrate
Substrate (aquarium)
The substrate of an aquarium refers to the material used on the tank bottom. It can affect water chemistry, filtration, and the well-being of the aquarium's inhabitants, and is also an important part of the aquarium's aesthetic appeal...
is needed, including clay
Clay
Clay is a general term including many combinations of one or more clay minerals with traces of metal oxides and organic matter. Geologic clay deposits are mostly composed of phyllosilicate minerals containing variable amounts of water trapped in the mineral structure.- Formation :Clay minerals...
. If grown emerse it is prone to attacks by aphids. Not fussy as to water conditions, tropical 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...
temperatures. Can be grown outdoors in warmer countries, won't tolerate frost. Likes a lot of light.
Can be grown in or by the pond
Pond
A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake. A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds, including water gardens, water features and koi ponds; all designed for aesthetic ornamentation as landscape or architectural...
in warmer climes. The seeds can be sown in shallow water.
Forms
Tropica Marble, Marble Queen has an attractive marbled leaf surface which tends to be lost in low light conditions. Tends to remain as a submerged plant longer than the type plant. Likes good substrate, CO2 and a strong light. Cultivated by Oriental Aquarium in Singapore.ovalis is a small, orbiculate plant whose low, wide growth makes it suitable for small aquariums. Reaches a height of about 35cm with a width of about 30 cm.
ssp. fluitans is fast-growing, suitable for large aquariums. Less likely to grow up above the water surface. If it grows large enough, it forms large leaves just under the surface instead. Reaches a height of about 40cm.