Indian water star
Indian water star | ||||||||||||
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Indian water star ( Hygrophila difformis ) |
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Systematics | ||||||||||||
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Scientific name | ||||||||||||
Hygrophila difformis | ||||||||||||
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The Indian water star ( Hygrophila difformis ) is a marsh plant from the acanthus family (Acanthaceae). Like the giant water friend and the Indian water friend , it plays a role in aquaristics . It is not related to the genus of the water stars ( Callitriche ).
description
The Indian water star forms light green, strongly pinnate underwater leaves. The leaves have a short stalk and are crosswise opposite. The shoot length can be up to 50 centimeters under water. The leaf size can be up to 15 centimeters in length and between 4.5 and 6.5 centimeters. The up to five millimeters thick stems are hairy and green or reddish in color.
distribution and habitat
The Indian water star is native to India , Burma , Thailand and the Malay Peninsula. It grows in its area of distribution preferentially in swampy locations.
Aquaristics
The Indian water star, also known as water fronds or water whistles, is one of the most recommendable aquarium plants among aquarists . It has the advantage of being a quick-growing plant that is easy to care for. Propagation is easy. It can be done by head cuttings and the transplanting of cut side shoots. Unlike the Indian water friend, however, it needs very good lighting. It also has a high tolerance for the pH of the water. The optimal water temperature is between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius.
Hazards and protective measures
Since this species is widespread and no threats are known, the IUCN classifies this species as Least Concern .
literature
- Bernd Greger: Plants in the freshwater aquarium . Birgit Schmettkamp Verlag., Bornheim 1998, ISBN 3-928819-16-X .
- Christel Kasselmann : aquarium plants . Ulmer Verlag., 2nd edition Stuttgart 1999, ISBN 3-8001-7454-5 , p. 312 f.
- Hans-Georg Kramer: Plant aquaristics á la Kramer. Tetra-Verlag, Berlin-Velten 2009, ISBN 978-3-89745-190-2 , p. 152 f.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hygrophila difformis in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.2. Posted by: Anitha, K., 2010. Retrieved May 19, 2014.