Balsam water friend
| Balsam water friend | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Hygrophila balsamica | ||||||||||||
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The balsam water friend ( Hygrophila balsamica ) is a plant from India and Sri Lanka belonging to the acanthus family (Acanthaceae). The species, which is very similar to the Indian water star, was offered for a time in pet shops for the planting of aquariums in the 1980s . However, fish were regularly lost during cultivation in aquariums, as this plant contains an ingredient that is incompatible with fish. Only plants that have already grown submerged do not contain it.
The name of this water friend is derived from the intense scent of essential oils that arises when the stems or leaves are rubbed.
description
The upright growing balsam water friend consists of a stalk up to 40 centimeters long and three to seven millimeters thick . Leaves growing below the surface of the water are crosswise opposite . The finely pinnate leaves are about seven inches long and 1.5 inches wide. The axillary flowers, which only develop above the water surface, are pale purple to white in color.
The number of chromosomes is 2n = 34.
Hazards and protective measures
Since this species is widespread and no specific threats are known, it is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN .
literature
- Bernd Greger: Plants in the freshwater aquarium . Birgit Schmettkamp Verlag, Bornheim 1998, ISBN 3-928819-16-X .
- Hans-Georg Kramer: Plant aquaristics á la Kramer. Tetra-Verlag, Berlin-Velten 2009, ISBN 3-89745-190-2 , p. 150 f.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hygrophila balsamica at Tropicos.org. In: IPCN Chromosome Reports . Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
- ↑ Hygrophila balsamica in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.2. Posted by: Anitha, K., 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2014.