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Echinodorus 'Großer Bär'
Echinodorus 'Großer Bär'
Echinodorus 'Großer Bär' is a massive, visually striking centerpiece plant known for its heavily textured, profoundly dark reddish-bronze submerged foliage.
- Taxonomy
- Class:LiliopsidaOrder:AlismatalesFamily:AlismataceaeGenus:EchinodorusSpecies:Echinodorus 'Großer Bär'
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Water Temperature
15 - 30 °C
pH Value
5 - 7
Water type
Freshwater
Light
Medium to High
CO2
Low - High
KH
0 - 21 dKH
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This aquatic plant, scientifically known as Echinodorus 'Großer Bär', has its geographical origins established mainly in the cultivation as a selected horticultural hybrid. Its wild ancestors originate from the tropical river basins of South America, where they grow both emersed and submerged. In its native lands, it faces periods of heavy seasonal variations, adapting perfectly to both submerged growth during wet months and emersed growth in dry periods. This natural behavior makes it extremely resilient and versatile when introduced into controlled environments such as home aquariums.
Taxonomy & Genetics: From a systematic point of view, it is a consolidated hybrid cultivar within the family Alismataceae, derived from targeted crosses to enhance reddish
Color & Texture: ations and maintain a manageable size. As a representative of this group, it shares many common biological traits but exhibits specific genetic peculiarities that influence its growth rate and fertilization needs. The genetic stability of cultivated strains is ensured in commercial nurseries through rigorous selection and vegetative propagation procedures to keep aesthetic qualities intact.
Physical Structure: Morphologically, the species features a compact and upright rosette with lanceolate to oval leaves on robust petioles. It develops an impressive root system capable of anchoring it firmly to the substrate. This type of conformation allows it to occupy three-dimensional space efficiently, while offering natural shelter for small fish and invertebrates. The root system is proportional to the aerial development and plays a key role not only for anchorage but also for nutrient uptake.
Color & Texture: The chromatic aspect is characterized by young leaves of a spectacular rust-red or dark reddish-brown shade, which gradually fades into an intense olive green or dark green as the leaf matures. This visual combination creates an excellent aesthetic impact under aquarium lights, allowing interesting contrast plays with surrounding plants. The leaf texture is designed to withstand the mechanical stress of running water.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Lighting & CO2: For optimal growth, the plant requires medium to intense lighting to maintain compactness and promote intense red coloration, while also benefiting from a steady supply of CO2. Adequate lighting stimulates photosynthesis and prevents the loss of lower leaves, while carbon dioxide supports faster and more vigorous development of the leaf blade.
Nutrition & Substrate: Nutrition must be curated by providing targeted fertilization in the substrate. It requires fertile root tabs rich in iron and potassium placed under the roots to support rapid leaf development. The presence of nutrients in the substrate promotes root development and prevents decay phenomena due to the lack of essential micronutrients.
Water Chemistry: Regarding water chemistry, the plant prefers stable values with a pH between 5.0 and 7.0, a carbonate hardness (KH) up to 21 dKH, and temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. It is important to keep the parameters stable and carry out regular water changes to avoid sudden osmotic shifts that could damage plant tissues.
Space Management & Placement: Layout planning should foresee the midground of the aquarium as a focal point, making sure to leave free space around it so that the large outer leaves do not shade out lower plants. Correct positioning allows the plant to receive uniform light over the entire surface and ensures good water circulation between the leaves.
Pruning: Routine maintenance requires trimming damaged or older outer leaves cleanly near the base of the rhizome, thereby promoting light penetration to the center of the rosette. This practice prevents decaying old leaves from compromising water quality and constantly stimulates the rejuvenation of the specimen.
Risks & Diseases: Among the main risks is iron chlorosis which fades the red leaves, and damage from herbivorous fish or snails that can bite holes in the leaves if they are not fed properly. Constantly monitoring the plant allows timely intervention with adjustments to fertilization or lighting management before damage becomes irreversible.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This aquatic plant, scientifically known as Echinodorus 'Großer Bär', has its geographical origins established mainly in the cultivation as a selected horticultural hybrid. Its wild ancestors originate from the tropical river basins of South America, where they grow both emersed and submerged. In its native lands, it faces periods of heavy seasonal variations, adapting perfectly to both submerged growth during wet months and emersed growth in dry periods. This natural behavior makes it extremely resilient and versatile when introduced into controlled environments such as home aquariums.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivars
Plant profile
- Placement
- Midground
- It is best positioned in the midground or background of the aquarium, depending on the overall tank size. Due to its broad leaves and striking color, it serves as an excellent focal point in aquascapes. Care should be taken to ensure it does not shade out smaller, light-demanding foreground plants.
- Botanical form
- Rosette
- It grows in a classic rosette form, featuring large, ovate leaves that develop distinct wavy margins as they mature. The foliage emerges with a rusty-red to deep purple hue before settling into a mature olive-green or dark brown. Its sturdy petioles help it maintain a strong vertical presence in the water column.
- Growth
- Medium
- This Echinodorus typically exhibits a moderate growth rate, gradually producing new leaves from its central rosette. Under optimal conditions with high light and CO2 injection, its growth can accelerate noticeably. However, it rarely becomes overwhelmingly invasive compared to some stem plants.
- Substrate
- High
- A nutrient-rich substrate is highly recommended for this heavy root feeder to reach its full potential. Soil-based substrates or gravel fortified with root tabs will promote robust root systems and larger, more vibrant leaves. Without adequate substrate nutrition, the plant may exhibit stunted growth and smaller foliage.
- Column fertilization
- Recommended
- While primarily a root feeder, it benefits significantly from supplemental liquid fertilizers added to the water column. Dosing comprehensive micro and macronutrients ensures the leaves remain healthy and free of pinholes. Regular liquid iron additions will intensely enhance the red and brown pigmentation of new growth.
- Root fertilization
- Required
- Root fertilization is the most critical aspect of its care, as the plant relies heavily on its extensive root system. Inserting nutrient-dense root capsules deep into the substrate every few months will yield the best results. A well-fertilized root zone leads to thicker stems and substantially larger, more vibrant leaves.
- Trimming
- Occasional
- Maintenance involves selectively pruning the oldest, outermost leaves as they fade or become covered in algae. Always cut the leaf stems cleanly at the base of the central crown. This not only controls its massive size but redirects the plant's energy into producing highly colored new central leaves.
- Propagation
- Division
- Propagation naturally occurs through the development of adventitious plantlets on long flower stalks (runners) sent out by the mother plant. Once these small plantlets have grown several leaves and a healthy set of roots, they can be carefully snipped off. These separated plantlets are then simply replanted directly into the substrate to establish themselves.
- Sensitivity
- Moderate
- It is generally hardy but requires high light to maintain its intense red and rusty coloration; in low light, it reverts to plain green. The crown must not be buried in the substrate to prevent rot. It may suffer from iron deficiency, indicated by pale, whitish new growth, if the substrate is depleted.
- Layout role
- Midground, accent
- It acts as a breathtaking centerpiece that draws the eye with its bold mix of red and green hues. Its massive size and texture create a strong contrast against fine-leaved, bright green background stem plants. It is highly effective at breaking up uniform green landscapes.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
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