The ‘Kedagang’ is a variety of the Bucephalandra family originated in Borneo.
It is characterized by long, narrow, dark green leaves with white dots. The leaf can be 1-2 cm wide and up to 6 cm long.
The rhizomes are red and similar to the Red variety of Bucephalandra. When immersed, a blue metallic shade may appear on the leaves.
The genus Eriocaulon is usually adapted to soft water. Eriocaulon cinereum is more tolerant than most and will thrive in medium-hard water. Soft water will promote overall health.
This is a quite small, very narrow-leaved and almost cushion-growing plant, that demands good supply of light and CO2 to develop.
The plant usually flowers very willingly after planting in the aquarium and the numerous flower stems give a unique appearance.
Flowering easily drains the energy of the plant, but given the right conditions, it will gather new energy and grow from basis after some time.
Glossostigma elatinoides from New Zealand is much in demand in Japanese-inspired aquariums. It is one of the smallest aquarium plants (2-3 cm tall), and thus a good foreground plant. A difficult plant demanding a lot of light. Grows upwards if light is poor. Make sure larger plants do not overshadow it. When planting in the aquarium small clumps (approx. 1/8 pot) should be placed at intervals of a few centimetres to help the plants grow together more quickly. CO2 addition and soft water promote growth significantly.
Echinodorus ‘Quadricostatus’ from South America has characteristic light-green leaves 10-15 cm long which form a good contrast to the darker aquarium plants. It is most beautiful when planted in groups, each roset becoming 15-20 cm wide. In good conditions it produces runners which spread over the bottom. Very light leaves are a sign of a shortage of micro-nutrients. There is some confusion about the name of this plant, and it has been sold as Echinodorus bolivianus var. magdalenensis.
Hygrophila pinnatifida originates from India. It obtains brown, patched leaves on the surface with a distinctive burgundy colour underneath. It creates horizontal side shoots and the top shoots should be pinched out in order to maintain compact and attractive growth. The horizontal side shoots easily attach to both wood and rocks. Growth is moderate, stems 15-40 cm tall and 10-20 cm wide, and the colour is attractive when planted in small groups with a plain background. Intense lighting ensures compact growth due to the plant’s slow to medium growth rate.
Lilaeopsis brasiliensis from South America can grow very compact, but a “lawn effect” (4-7 cm tall) is only achieved at high light intensity. When planting in the aquarium small clumps (approx. 1/8 pot) should be placed a few centimetres apart to help the plants grow together more quickly. Place in an open position without shading from other plants to ensure good light. Lilaeopsis brasiliensis can be used in garden ponds, and also tolerates low salt concentrations in brackish aquariums.
This small fern comes from Asia, where it often grows in rice fields. The leaves are tiny and rarely wider than 0.5 cm.
A hardy plant that tolerates poor light conditions and high temperatures. However, improved conditions are beneficial to its development. Planted in small bundles that spread with offshoots. Creates a 1-3cm high and close carpet, well anchored in the bottom layer.
Marsilea hirsuta is a carpet-plant from Australia. A fascinating plant, usually delivered with leaves like a four-leaf clover. After a transitional period it develops different types of leaves, possibly a low form with single leaves like a large Glossostigma, or alternatively develop two, three or four-lobed leaves varying in height (from 2-10 cm), depending on the growth conditions. Whichever form the plant adopts, it forms runners and spreads rapidly round the aquarium.
This Myriophyllum keeps its bright, green colour even at very high light intensity. Every stem will only measure approximately 2-3 cm (1”), but it branches willingly and the plant quickly becomes dense and lush.
Cutting down is often necessary to maintain the access to light and water flow. Its moderate growth makes Myriophyllum ‘Guyana’ particularly adapted to nano tanks.
Originated from the American tropics, Phyllanthus fluitans is a floating plant part of the Phyllanthaceae family.
It is similar to the Salvinia, differentiated only by the mono leave structure on each node. The water repellent, heart shaped leaves hide the stem which can sometimes give life to white flowers with six petals. The more intense the light, the browner the leaves will become. Sustainably cultivated in Denmark.
This species comes from Australia and becomes 5-10 cm tall. There are many species and variants of Ranunculus, which grow coarse and leggy in aquariums. Ranunculus inundatus is characterised by its compact form and distinguished, deeply cut umbrellas. The plant forms many vertical runners with new plants and over time thick bottom coverage is formed. Good lighting produces compact growth. Long leaves can be pruned.
Rotala indica ‘Bonsai’ is best described as a compact, moderate growing version of Bacopa caroliniana.
Plant it in small groups and trim it often. Cuttings may be re-planted in the group to achieve a more dense group or carpet.
At high light the tip of the stems may become reddish, at lower light the leaves will become larger and the plant less compact.
Rotala ‘Bonsai’ is particularly suitable for nano-aquariums.
The Asiatic Rotala sp. ‘Green’ is very similar to Rotala rotundifolia, but its leaves remain fresh and bright green, even with intensive light. Stems becomes 40-50 cm long and 2-3 cm wide. The plant forms many side shoots willingly and obtains a beautiful, bushy and “hanging” growth. Prune it frequently to maintain healthy growth. An ideal starter plant that looks best when planted in large groups.
Asian Flame moss got its name from its form of growth. Tight, vertical and softly undulating shoots give the impression of a deep green campfire, 5-15 cm high. The special shape makes Flame moss very suitable for horizontal surfaces and it only spreads slowly horizontally.
Attach the moss to small stones or in small bundles on tree roots to obtain a lovely effect.
Growth of Mini Taiwan moss is horizontal and overhanging, like a mini version of ‘Weeping moss’. Attaching to branching wood or vertical rock will present it at its best and is also very useful for a moss wall or for hiding installations in the aquarium.
It is an easy and decorative moss with quite low demands, but good light and some added CO2 will promote growth and branching.
Full identity of this beautiful moss is not yet established and studies may likely place it as a species of family Isopterygium.