Echinodorus cordifolius (Linné) Grisebach 1857
In 1753 this species had been named by Carl v. Linné as Alisma cordifolia. Later in 1857 Grisebach changed it to the new founded genus Echinodorus. In cause of a false determination
it was commercialized as Echinodorus radicans for a long period. Many older aquarium-keepers use this name even nowadays, although it is a wrong and invalid name.
The origin of Echinodorus cordifolius reaches from the southern states of the USA over Mexico and the Caribian Islands to Venezuela and Columbia. so this plant has a widespread shape, depending to the origin.
This species belongs to the larger ones, living mostly amphibious. The leaves have petioles up to 80 cm (32 ”) and the middlegreen blades have a broad oval form. The submerged leaves can be spotted
red-brown. They reach up to 24 x 40 cm (10 x 16 “), 7 to 9 veins leave the base. E. cordifolius has a cordate base (therefore the name) and pellucid markings as short lines.
The inflorescences are appearing in long day periods growing up to 120 cm (50 “) from the base to the first whorl.
5 to 12 whorls have another 80 to 100 cm (32-40 “). First of all the inflorescence is growing erect, but soon lay down by his mass and then creeping abouve the ground. The flowers reach up to 3 cm (2 1/4 “) in diameter. Adventitious plants
are soon appearing at the whorls and can be used for propagation. The seeds (nutlets) have mostly two or more glands between the ribs and can be used for propagation too.
Because of the size of the plant, I can recommend E. cordifolius only for large tanks. But there are some tribes of different largeness and some grow smaller and remain submerged.
In long day periods the plants try to grow above the water-line. If anyone wants to cultivate this plant, he should illuminate less than 12 hours per
day. Other recommendations are useless. Otherwise the plant requires only medium light and grows as well in hard as soft water. Temperatur requirement is about 20 - 28 °C (68 - 82 °F), but lower and higher ones are
All in all a recommendable aquarium-plant for larger tanks, where a natural growing out may be accepted. Than you can cultivate a magnificent plant
without any problems and enjoy the impressive growth.
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