Myriophyllum sp. "Roraima"

Roraima milfoil

°C
°dKH
Aquarium suitability: yes
Usage: Accent (red), Background, Midground, Street (Dutch style)
Difficulty: medium
Growth: very fast

General

Range and localities: 

Brazil: Roraima


Height: 30 - 100 cm

Availability [?]: 
  • occasionally available commercially
  • occasionally available from other aquarists

Common names: 
  • Roraima milfoil

Habit, plant type:

  • stem
Major group (unranked): Seed plants: Flowering plants (Angiosperms)
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Haloragaceae
Genus: Myriophyllum

Description: 

This milfoil was probably first introduced to Japan. Since 2010 it has also been in cultivation in Europe. The auxiliary name "Roraima" suggests that it originates from the Brazilian state of Roraima, but we have no more precise information about the locality.

Although this magnificent Myriophyllum has not been known for long, its potential to become a popular, widely used aquarium plant is already becoming apparent. Not only is it one of the few red centipede forms, but it is also easy to cultivate and very fast-growing.

The submerged leaves are intensely brown to orange-red in colour, the stem is reddish brown. The shoots are regularly branched, grow to over 50 cm long and about 5 cm wide.

For more, see also under "Culture" and "Design".

Design

Aquascaping: fine-leaved, very colourful plant for accents

Description: 

The Roraima Milfoil looks magnificent as a bush at least 30 cm high in the background or middle ground of larger tanks. As a fast-growing plant, it can be recommended for the initial planting of newly set-up aquariums.

Culture

Light medium to high 
Temperature tolerance 4 to 28 °C
Optimum temperature 15 to 25 °C
Carbonate hardness 2 to 14 °dKH
pH value 5 to 7.5 
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 15 to 40 mg/l
Nitrate (NO3-) 10 to 50 mg/l
Phosphate (PO43-) 0.1 to 3 mg/l
Potassium (K+) 5 to 30 mg/l
Iron (Fe) 0.01 to 0.5 mg/l

Growth: very fast

Propagation: Cuttings

Can grow emersed?: yes

Description: 

This Myriophyllum has no special requirements and also grows in medium-hard water and without CO2 addition. However, it unfolds its full splendour with rather strong lighting, complete macro- and micronutrient supply via the water column and CO2 addition. The rapid growth makes frequent pruning necessary, and pruning leads to bushier growth. Propagation is easy by head cuttings and partial cuttings. The Roraima Milfoil tolerates a wide temperature range and is also suitable for cold-water aquaria.

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