Vallisneria gigantea 'Curly'

The name Vallisneria gigantea 'Curly' is wrongly used for the wavy-leaved giant vallisneria, whose correct name is Vallisneria australis 'Curly'.¹ V. australis includes the giant vallisnerias that were long sold as “Vallisneria gigantea”.²⁴ Its natural range lies in eastern and southern Australia, where it colonises reservoirs as well as rivers and streams that rarely run dry.²⁴ It was described as a separate species in 2008 on the basis of molecular studies that set the Australian material apart from V. americana.⁴

The exact origin of the cultivar 'Curly' is not known.³ In the aquarium it is considered easy; it grows at a moderate rate and needs medium to strong light. This rosette plant propagates by runners, does not grow emersed and is also listed as suitable for garden ponds.³

1. Vallisneria gigantea 'Curly' – Flowgrow aquatic plant database (accessed 5 October 2026)
2. Vallisneria australis – Aquasabi (accessed 5 October 2026)
3. Vallisneria australis 'Curly' – Flowgrow aquatic plant database (accessed 5 October 2026)
4. Kasselmann, C. (2019): Aquarienpflanzen. 4th edition (German). - Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart: p. 572.