Echinodorus uruguayensis

Echinodorus uruguayensis or Echinodorus osiris is a plant species in the Alismataceae. It is native to South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile).[1]

Echinodorus uruguayensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Alismataceae
Genus: Echinodorus
Species:
E. uruguayensis
Binomial name
Echinodorus uruguayensis
Arech.
Synonyms[1]
  • Echinodorus martii var. uruguayensis (Arechav.) Hauman
  • Echinodorus grandiflorus var. pusillus Micheli in A.L.P.de Candolle & A.C.P.de Candolle
  • Echinodorus aschersonianus Graebn.
  • Echinodorus horemanii Rataj
  • Echinodorus opacus Rataj
  • Echinodorus osiris Rataj
  • Echinodorus portoalegrensis Rataj
  • Echinodorus africanus Rataj
  • Echinodorus barthii H.Mühlberg
  • Echinodorus janii Rataj
  • Echinodorus veronikae Rataj
  • Echinodorus multiflorus Rataj
  • Echinodorus uruguayensis var. minor Kasselm
  • Echinodorus viridis Rataj

Description

Submersed leaves (5)-30-50 cm long, blades ribbon-shaped, green or darkly red-brown having undulate margins, (9)-20-30 cm long x 1 - 2 - (3) cm wide, trimmed with distinct pellucid lines. Emersed leaves rare, 20 – 50 cm long, petioles longer than the blades. Blades regularly ovate or oval, on the tip blunt, 7.5 – 13 cm long x 2 - 4.5 cm wide, having distinct pellucid lines. Stem upright or deflexed, (20)-30-(45) cm long, proliferous. Inflorescence racemose, rarely branching in the lower whorl, having (2)-4-(6) whorls containing 6 -12 flowers each. Bracts lanceolate, usually shorter than the pedicels, shallowly connate, 1 - 1.5 cm long. Pedicels 1.5 - 2 – 3 cm long. Corolla white, 1 - 1.5 cm in diameter, stamens 18, achenes 1 - 1.5 mm long, having usually 3 glands in oblique row in the upper part of the body.[2][3]

Distinct varieties are sold in the trade which may or may not be this plant. Young growth is often reddish in colour.

Often confused with E. maior.

Cultivation

Not often available, which is a pity as it is well suited to submerse growth. Can be propagated by division, though it tends to grow slowly. Not fussy as to water conditions and will grow in sub-tropical temperatures, in which it seems to bloom more readily. Likes a nutriment rich substrate and good light levels. Additional CO2 helps growth.

It will bloom readily if grown emerse, but takes a while to form a new set of emerse leaves. This change from submerse to emerse growth is best done gradually.

References
  1. "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". apps.kew.org. Retrieved 2017-01-27.
  2. Arechavaleta y Balpardo, José. 1902. Anales del Museo Nacional de Montevideo 4(1): 66–67, t. 2.
  3. Karel Rataj. A New Revision of the Swordplant Genus Echinodorus. Aqua Journal of Ichthyology and Aquatic Biology, Special Publication Nr. 1. March 2004. ISSN 0945-9871

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