Echinodorus grisebachii 'Parviflorus'

The Black Amazon Swordplant is commonly known as Echinodorus parviflorus and also under the trade name "Echinodorus peruensis". It truly is a variety of E. grisebachii, a very widely distributed species in the American tropics, among which E. grisebachii 'Amazonicus' and E. grisebachii 'Bleherae' are found. Originally, this form of E. grisebachii was probably imported from the Bolivian and Peruvian Amazon.

Decades ago, some Echinodorus plants were cultivated under the name E. parviflorus that were said to only form flower stalks under short-day conditions. Those plants traded as E. parviflorus today, however, differ from them. The popular name "Black Amazon Swordplant" refers to the dark coloration of the young leaves.

E. grisebachii 'Parviflorus' is a relatively easy-to-care-for sword plant that does not need very intensive light. It develops beautiful rosettes consisting of a large number of leaves. However, it is not as well-known as E. grisebachii 'Bleherae', which grows to a height and width of over 50 cm, and less often found in trade, however, its maximal height of 30 cm makes it a far better solitary plant for medium-sized tanks.


To be continued...