Plant atlas

Geographical Origin and Habitat: This plant is native to Central America and northern South America, populating shallow aquatic areas such as stream banks, ditches, and wet plains. It is accustomed to seasonal fluctuations in water levels, growing submerged during floods and emerging to flower when the water recedes.

Taxonomy & Genetics: It belongs to the family Alismataceae. It is a pure botanical species of the genus Echinodorus, not derived from artificial horticultural crosses. Its stable genetics guarantee a consistently oval shape of the leaves, a distinctive character that gives the species its name.

Physical Structure: Develops a rosette of moderate height, which usually does not exceed 15-25 cm in the aquarium. The leaves are supported by short petioles and have a distinctly oval or broad elliptic shape. It develops a robust and extended root system to absorb nutrients from the substrate.

Color & Texture: The leaves have a bright green or uniform lawn-green color. The surface of the leaf is smooth, with marked longitudinal veins. The texture is robust and leathery, making the plant resistant to the attack of herbivorous fish and most aquatic snails.

Lighting & CO2: Requires medium lighting to maintain healthy growth and a compact shape. CO2 injection is not mandatory, but delivery helps keep the leaves denser and stimulates lateral propagation.

Nutrition & Substrate: Like all Echinodorus, it needs a rich and deep substrate. The periodic insertion of fertilizer tabs based on iron and potassium near the roots is recommended. Column fertilization supports leaf growth but does not replace bottom nutrition.

Water Chemistry: Adapts to temperatures between 18°C and 28°C. The optimal pH ranges from 6.0 to 7.5, with an ideal carbonate hardness between 2 and 15 dKH, tolerating different chemical ranges well.

Space Management & Placement: Its ideal placement is in the midground of the aquarium. Given its compact size, it should be positioned leaving enough space around to prevent it from shading lower plants or being covered by fast-growing species.

Pruning: Pruning consists simply of the periodic removal of older or damaged leaves at the base of the rosette. Cut the leaves close to the collar with sharp scissors to avoid damaging the central rhizome.

Risks & Diseases: It is prone to iron deficiency which manifests as leaf chlorosis. The thick and leathery leaves can accumulate green spot algae if the tank parameters are not balanced or if the lighting is excessive.