Persicaria praetermissa

Persicaria praetermissa is native to tropical Asia and Australia, where it mainly grows emersed along stream banks and on wet ground; it also copes when submersed.¹ It first reached the trade as Polygonum sp. 'Ruby'.¹ Long equated with Polygonum, the genus Persicaria is now regarded as distinct.³

Underwater the narrow, hastate leaves take on reddish brown to orange-brown tones and are wine red underneath; the wiry stem bears short, backward-pointing bristles.¹ In the midground it provides accents, especially next to fine-leaved, light green plants; medium to strong light and a good supply of CO₂ and nutrients are beneficial.¹ Hobbyists describe an oblique to horizontal growth habit and leaf colours from pale yellow to deep red; their experiences with light conflict, as it grew best sometimes under weak and sometimes under strong lighting.²