Echinodorus berteroi
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| Echinodorus berteroi | ||||||||||||||
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| Echinodorus berteroi (Spreng.) Fassett in Rhodora, 57:1139, 1955 |
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In Rataj's taxonomy E. berteroi is in Section Berteroii, Subgenus Echinodorus. Several varieties are named in the literature, but their exact status in such a variable plant seems uncertain.
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[edit] Synonyms
Alisma berteroi; A. rostratum; E. rostratus; E. patagonicus
[edit] Common Name
Cellophane Sword
[edit] Distribution
Very large range, perhaps the most extensive of the genus, growing in shallow and periodic waters. It can be found even in almost dry places, growing dwarfed, almost like a form of E. tenellus. southern parts of the United States, Central America and the West Indies. It ranges through the tropical, sub-tropical and edges into the temperate zones of its range.
[edit] Description
Submersed leaves often modified into phyllodes, 10 - 45 cm long x 0.5 - 4 cm wide, linear to narrowly elliptical, of very variable shape and size, light-green, membraneously transparent, network between the veins often lighter or darker, thus the submersed leaves often appearing mosaic-like coloured. Emerse leaves long-petioled, 5 - 55 cm long, blades light-green, cordate, 5 - 12 cm long x 3 - 5 cm wide, in terrestrial dwarf forms the blades are ovate, truncate at the base, 2 - 5 cm long x 1 - 2 cm wide. In the blades there are very clear pellucid lines 1 - 5 mm (exceptionally up to 11 mm) long.
Stem upright, inflorescence compound, branched in lower whorls. In terrestrial forms stem only 6 - 10 cm long. Corolla white, about 1.5 cm in diameter, stamens 12, achenes numerous in echinate head, nutlets grey-brown, 2.5 - 3.5 mm long x 1 - 1.3 mm wide, broadly keeled, with 2 winged ribs alternating with 3 non-winged ribs; facial gland single, close to the beak, indistinct or quite absent.
Mature specimens may have between 10 - 30 leaves. most of them differing in shape and size.
[edit] Cultivation
Prefers a larger tank with a deep, rich substrate and good light. It is easy to grow but will soon outgrow the average aquarium.
Can be divided, or in submerse plants, adventitious plantlets will form on the infloresence and can be divided and planted out.
Seed will be set in emerse plants, and can be planted out in shallow trays with sand and shallow warm water.
Prefers soft, rather acid water. Sub-tropical to tropical temperatures. It doesn't seem to thrive in hard water.
Will grow in and by the pond in warmer regions, but must be protected from frost.
