Echinodorus muricatus Grisebach is now regarded as a synonym of Echinodorus floribundus, which under a more recent classification is called Aquarius floribundus.123 The robust marsh plant occurs from Mexico and Cuba to northern Argentina and grows on damp banks and in flooded meadows; in Mexico and Bolivia it has been observed in temporary small water bodies.12 The branched inflorescences rise above the plant, whose ovate to very broadly ovate blades with a cordate base sit on long stalks and grow up to about 40 cm.12
In the aquarium larger plants soon push their leaves above the water surface, so it can only be kept submersed to a limited extent; a nutrient-poor substrate prevents it from becoming too vigorous too quickly.12 The sword plant offered in the trade as “E. muricatus” probably belongs rather to the E. cordifolius complex or is a hybrid.4
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