Alternantera aquatic

Alternantera aquatic, scientific name Alternanthera aquatica. It grows in South America in the Amazon in Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. It grows along the banks of rivers and swamps. The plant anchors its roots in nutrient-rich earth, silt. Shoots stretch for several meters in length along the surface of the water. The stem is hollow and filled with air, on it at regular intervals there are two green leaves 12–14 cm in size. Under the leaves there are additional roots immersed in water. In the place where the leaves are formed, there is a partition, thus it turns out something like floats. If the stem is damaged, torn, the plant will still remain afloat.

A floating plant used in large aquariums and paludariums. Can be anchored in the ground. It may require the introduction of universal fertilizers, it needs warm water and moist air near the surface, so tanks must be equipped with tight lids.

Nevertheless, it belongs to unpretentious species capable of growing in a wide range of hydrochemical parameters.