Limnophila sessiliflora

Limnophila sessiliflora, known as dwarf ambulia, ambulis, and Asian marshweed is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae.

Limnophila sessiliflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Lamiales
Family: Plantaginaceae
Genus: Limnophila
Species:
L. sessiliflora
Binomial name
Limnophila sessiliflora
in Hyderabad, India.

Synonyms

Ambulia Ambulia sessiliflora; Hottonia sessiliflora; Stemodia sessiliflora; Terebinthina sessiliflora; Stemodiacra sessiliflora

Distribution

S.E. Asia Escaped into a number of countries where conditions are suitable and sometimes classified as a weed - in paddy rice fields of India, China, Japan and the Philippines. Now is naturalized in several counties in Florida, from south Florida to the Florida Panhandle. Some species are native to Australia.[1]

Ecology

Very adaptable; has been found growing in mountain streams, lakes, rivers and even damp soils.

Description
in Hyderabad, India.

Looks superficially rather similar to Cabomba but it has leaves in proper whorls, about 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. The leaves are pinnate and bright green in colour. Under strong light the leaves take on a reddish hue. When the plant has received enough light for the day, the whorls of leaves tend to close up and "go to sleep".[2] Can reach over 16 inches (40 cm) in height. The submerse leaves are very different from the emerse forms - dark green, more or less lance-shaped.

The fruit are capsules, ellipsoid, 3.5-5.5 mm long, green-brown when submersed, dark brown when emersed.

Cultivation

Quite commonly used as a bunch plant in aquariums. Needs medium light (more light results in better growth and appearance) and a nutrient-rich water column. Benefits from the addition of CO2. Like many stem plants, it tends to take on a leggy growth in poor light.

Propagated by cuttings.

Growth conditions: Ph 6-7.5 3-25 dGH 3-25 dKH Temperature 22 - 28'C

A nutrient-rich substrate also benefits the plant.

References
  1. http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/329308/041209-DPI-RWW-PLANT-GUIDE.pdf Page 45
  2. http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/269/
  • Biswas D, Calder CC. 1955. Handbook of Common Water and Marsh Plants of India and Buram. Health Bull. 24, Delhi, 47 pp.
  • Dutta NM. 1975. A Revision of the genus Limnophila of eastern India. Bull. Bot. Soc. Bengal. 29:1-7
  • Gilbert KM. 1984. A review of the aquatic plants Limnophila heterophylla and Limnophila sessiliflora. Bureau of Aquatic Plant Research and Control Dept. of Natural Resources. 12 pp.
  • Mahler MJ. 1980. Limnophila, a new exotic pest. Aquatics 2:4-7
  • Philcox D. 1970. A taxonomic revision of the genus Limnophila R. Br. (scrophulariaceae). Kew Bull. 24(1):101-170
  • Rataj K, Horeman TJ. 1977. Aquarium Plants. T.F. H. Publications: Neptune City.
  • Sculthorpe CD. 1967. The Biology of Aquatic Vascular Plants. Edward Arnold Publ. Ltd.: London. 610 pp.
  • Spencer W, Bowes G. 1985. Limnophila and Hygrophila: a review and physiological assessment of their weed potential in Florida. J. Aq. Pl. Manag. 23:7-16
  • Yamazaki T. 1985. A revision of the genera Limnophila and Torenia from Indochina. Journ. Fac. Sci. Univ. Todyo. III 13: 575-624
  • Yang YP, Yen SH. 1997. Notes on Limnophila (scrophulariaceae) of Taiwan. Botanical Bulletin of Academia Sinica. pp. 285–294
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