Range and localities [?]: exact origin unknown, possibly a form of Alternanthera reineckii that arose in cultivation
Alternanthera reineckii "rosaefolia minor" is an exquisite dwarf form of A. reineckii that forms very low-growing compact bushes when cultivated submersed. It assumes a deep brownish-read colour comparable to A. reineckii 'Rosa' (= "Rosaefolia"). This makes it one of the very few red-coloured foreground plants. It got known in Europe around the year 2007; its exact origins are unclear. This plant is likely identical to Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'.
When cultivated emersed, A. reineckii "rosaefolia minor" looks pretty much like the emersed forms of other varieties of A. reineckii as it forms rather long stems with elongated internodes. Its stunning dwarfed growth habit with the stunted internodes is reserved for the submersed form, as it seems. Then its short stems of a maximal length of 20 cm develop many lateral shoots giving the plant a bushy look, and many "aerial" roots, which don't disturb its appearance, though. Its demands on cultivation are more or less the same than those of other varieties of A. reineckii: moderate to high light, temperatures of 22-28 °C, a good supply of CO2 and nutrients.
When cultivated submersed, A. reineckii "rosaefolia minor" is a rather slow grower and thus also has a relatively low reproduction rate. The population doubles in around 6 weeks (information from Jaap Liefting, aquaplantexchange.nl). The plant is propagated by top or lateral shoot cuttings or by separating the bushes.
Up to now, this small Alternanthera has mainly been used in Dutch-style aquascapes (e.g. by Michael Kloos). There it is a beautiful red contrast to green plants of low to medium height and forms an optical counterpart of higher-growing red plants that are placed at some distance. In the "Asian" nature aquarium style it has hardly ever been used, though. However, it might be an interesting red accent in a group of Staurogyne repens, a plant with a similar leaf form but a fresh green colour.
When A. reineckii 'Mini' (= "rosaefolia minor") is cultivated emersed, it hardly looks different from other A. reineckii forms in the terrestrial form, since it then rather forms long stems with elongated internodes. It apparently develops its special dwarf habit with strongly compressed internodes only under water. The short stems, growing to a maximum of about 20 cm in height, develop many side shoots, which makes the plant grow bushy, and many "aerial roots", which should however hardly be visually disturbing. The cultivation requirements are as with the other A. reineckii forms: medium to high light intensity, temperatures of about 22-28 °C, good CO2 and nutrient supply.
The Mini parrot leaf grows rather slowly submersed and accordingly has a relatively low rate of propagation. In approx. 6 weeks the stand can double (information from Jaap Liefting in the forum aquaplantexchange.nl)1. It is propagated by cutting off and replanting main or side shoots or by dividing the bushes.
References and further reading:So far, this small Alternanthera has been used mainly in Dutch-style aquascapes (e.g. by Michael Kloos)1, where, as a red bush in the foreground, it contrasts with green, low to medium-height plants and forms a counterweight to taller red plants standing further away. A rather low "plant street" can also be created with this small Alternanthera. In the meantime, this plant is also used more frequently in the "Asian" nature aquarium style. It looks interesting, e.g. as a red accent in a stand of Staurogyne repens, which has a similar leaf shape but is a fresh green colour.
References and further reading:
<a href="https://www.flowgrow.de/db/aquaticplants/alternanthera-reineckii-mini" target="_blank"><img alt="Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'" title="Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'" src="https://www.flowgrow.de/db/widget/aquaticplants/alternanthera-reineckii-mini" /></a>
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[widget=aquaticplants/alternanthera-reineckii-mini]Alternanthera reineckii 'Mini'[/widget]