African pondweed

African pondweed or Schweinfurt pond, scientific name Potamogeton schweinfurthii. Named after the German botanist G. A. Schweinfurth (1836–1925). In nature, it grows in tropical Africa in reservoirs with stagnant water (lakes, swamps, calm backwaters of rivers), including in the rift lakes of Nyasa and Tanganyika.

Under favorable conditions, it forms a long creeping rhizome, from which high erect stems grow up to 3-4 meters, but at the same time quite thin – only 2-3 mm. The leaves are arranged alternately on the stem, one per whorl. The leaf blade is lanceolate with a sharp tip up to 16 cm long and about 2 cm wide. The color of the leaves depends on the growth conditions and can be green, olive green or brown-red. In rift lakes characterized by high carbonate water hardness, the leaves appear whitish due to lime deposits.

A simple and unpretentious plant that is a good choice for a pond or a large species aquarium with Malawian cichlids or Lake Tanganyika cichlids. African pondweed adapts well to a wide range of conditions and grows well in hard alkaline water. For rooting, it is necessary to provide sandy soil. Grows fast and requires regular pruning.