Aponogetones

Aponogetons are semi-aquatic plants belonging to the Aponogetonaceae family of the same name. The natural habitat is vast and covers vast territories washed by the Indian Ocean: Africa, India, southeastern Asia, Australia, numerous islands and archipelagos. In nature, they are found in various biotopes – along the banks of lowland and mountain rivers, in swampy reservoirs among tropical forests, lakes and ponds.

Aponogetons are distinguished by long, ribbon-like leaves with short petioles (submerged) and tend to take on an oval shape when they reach the surface. Some species may shed their leaves when adverse conditions occur. During this period, the plant lives off the nutrients accumulated in the massive tuber.

They are popular aquarium plants. The complexity of care depends on the specific type. It is noted that people from the African continent and Madagascar are more capricious and demanding on the conditions and composition of the soil than representatives from Southeast Asia. The latter can successfully grow even in open water bodies, for example, backyard ponds.