Limnophila aromatica – Kalmantan ‘Mini’

Description

Description:

This small stem plant was first known asLimnophilasp. “Mini” and is also calledL. sp. “Kalimantan Mini”. It was taken for the speciesLimnophila repens, however, according to Kasselmann (2010), its flower characteristics match those ofLimnophila aromatica. It is therefore a dwarf form ofL. aromatica. We do not have reliable information about its origin, however the trading name “Kalimantan Mini” implies that the plant was probably found in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo island.

Confusingly, there is also another smallLimnophilaform under the nameL. aromatica“Mini”, but that plant looks more similar toLimnophila hippuridoidesand is provisionally calledLimnophilacf.hippuridoides“Mini” by us.

Limnophila aromatica“Mini” stays much smaller than other customary forms ofL. aromatica. The underwater leaves have a serrated edge and often do not exceed a length of 1 to 2,5 cm. They are arranged in pairs (opposite) or in whorls, mostly with 3 leaves. However, at Aquasabi company, this dwarfLimnophilagot 3-5 cm long, 4-5 mm wide leaves, up to six per whorl, under intense lighting and ample CO2and nutrient supply. Die shoots may reach a height of more than 30 cm, but the plant looks best when it is shaped into a group of about 10 to 20 cm.

The submerged leaves are beautifully brown-red with intense lighting. The leaf midribs and stems often remain light green, contrasting to the leaf surface. With moderate lighting, the leaves are rather light green. The stomata on the leaves are apparent under water as tiny silvery spots.

The emersed leaves are coarser than the underwater leaves and medium-green.