Echinodorus dark

Echinodorus dark, scientific name Echinodorus opacus. The plant is native to South America, where it grows in southern Brazil and Argentina in limited areas of the Paraná and Santa Catarina river basins. Found in shallow streams and fast flowing rivers. Known in the aquarium hobby since the 1970s, but not very popular compared to other echinodorus species due to low growth rates.

In 2011, researchers Samuil Lehtonen and Daniel Falck conducted a DNA analysis of this plant and determined that it is a natural hybrid between Echinodorus grandiflorus and Echinodorus longiscapus and is thus closely related to Echinodorus Porto Alegre.

Various forms of Echinodorus dark have a creeping, barrel-shaped rhizome,

comparable to Uruguayan Echinodorus and Echinodorus Osiris. The leaves are leathery and tough – an adaptation to the strong flow of water in their natural habitat. Leaf blades are ovoid, dark green in color and slightly translucent. The longitudinal and transverse veins are lighter in comparison with the rest of the leaf. Inflorescences appear quite rarely and remain closed in the form of buds.

Due to its ability to grow in turbulent environments and the ability to tolerate fairly cool water, this plant is perfect for aquariums that mimic mountain streams with strong currents. For good rooting, a sand and gravel substrate is required. Lighting any, but it is impossible to subject to constant shading.