Eichornia azure

Eichhornia azure or Eichhornia marsh, scientific name Eichhornia azurea. It is a popular aquarium plant that is native to swamps and stagnant waters of the Americas, its natural habitat extends from the southern states of the United States to the northern provinces of Argentina.

The plant has a massive strong stem and a branched root system that can reliably take root in soft soil or mud at the bottom of reservoirs. The shape, structure and arrangement of the leaves differ significantly depending on whether they are under water or floating on the surface. When submerged, the leaves are evenly distributed on both sides of the trunk, resembling a fan or palm leaves. Upon reaching the surface, the leaf blades change significantly, they acquire a glossy surface, and the shape from the ribbon-like turns into an oval. They have long massive petioles with an internal structure in the form of a hollow sponge. They serve as floats, holding the plant shoots to the surface.

Eichornia marsh is recommended to be planted in spacious aquariums with a height of at least 50 cm with a large free space around it so that the leaves can fully open. The plant needs nutritious soil and a high level of lighting, while it is completely undemanding to water temperature.