Limnophila indica

Limnophila indica is one of those Limnophilas that have finely pinnate leaves in their submersed form. This form resembles L. heterophylla and L. sessiliflora but is very variable. There are several varieties of this species in cultivation, coming from different regions of the earth. One of them differs from both aforementioned species by its distinctly finer leaf pinna and the smaller distances of the stem nodes (see fig. 1). L. indica, L. heterophylla and L. sessiliflora can, however, only safely be discerned from each other when their emersed form and especially the flower characteristics are considered (see Kasselmann 2010).

L. indica is widely distributed in the African and Asian tropics, growing submersed or semi-emersed in different types of flowing and stagnant waterbodies. In Rio Guaporé in south-western Brazil, Christel Kasselmann found an introduced populations. A hybrid of L. indica and L. sessiliflora has been introduced to Louisiana (USA).

This Limnophila is a relatively undemanding, decorative, fine-leaved stem plant from which dense bushes in the middle- or background of a layout can be created in a short time. The leaves are light green, on the shoot tips they may assume a reddish hue under strong light. The species often forms long, runner-like creeping shoots on which the upright stems grow. These runners ought to be removed from time to time in order to prevent the plant from taking over the entire tank.

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