Echinodorus horizontalis

Horizontal swordplant

Echinodorus horizontalis

Horizontal swordplant

  • Medium-sized Echinodorus wild type
  • Distinctive appearance
  • Spreading habit
  • Rather slow growth
  • Hardly available in trade nowadays
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Description

The Horizontal Swordplant originates from inundated forests and rainforest streambanks in tropical South America. Already cultivated since the 1960s and widespread in the hobby in former times, it is now a rarity that is rather available from few hobbyists than in the trade. Unfortunately very different Echinodorus species or hybrids are often produced with the label "E. horizontalis" in nurseries. We cultivate the true E. horizontalis. This particular wild species has firm, elongate-cordate, acuminate leaves with a light to medium green colour. Newly appearing leaves are brownish-pinkish to light brown, later becoming green. As the species name suggests, the leaf blades are horizontally arranged; this plant is broader than tall. It takes a long time until it reaches its maximum height of about 35 cm (at a width of 50 cm), so it fits well in low tanks and the midground, respectively. Nowadays swordplants with green, heart-shaped leaves are rather uncommon in trade, partly tending to grow out of the water (e.g. Echinodorus cordifolius). Echinodorus horizontalis, however, stays reliably under water.

Echinodorus horizontalis is not demanding; medium lighting is sufficient and medium-hard water is well tolerated. The temperature range is 18-28 °C (optimum between 23-26 °C). A nutrient-rich bottom is recommendable for this species that is prone to iron deficiency. It is a rather slow grower, in contrast to many other Echinodorus. Its width of about 35-50 cm should be taken into consideration. Well-growing specimens will develop long inflorescences with few adventitious plantlets. For its emersed culture high air humidity is necessary.

This fairly forgotten Echinodorus species surely deserves more attention in the aquarium hobby; it has a distinct growth habit and differs much from the widely available, countless coloured swordplant hybrids. It should be interesting e.g. for bigger biotope tanks and other nature-inspired layouts. Its spreading habit contrasts well with vertical structures and fine-leaved tall plants such as Eleocharis sp. "montevidensis".

Echinodorus horizontalis is a medium-sized sword plant originating from the Amazon depression in the north of South America. In contrast to many other Echinodorus species that grow in more or less sunny locations, E. horizontalis is most often found on shaded ground of marsh woods or temporarily flooded forests or the banks of rainforest rivulets. There it is subject to rapid changes of the water level. When flooded, it develops submersed leaves that have the same form as its emersed ones.generalreferences#1 E. horizontalis is e.g. found in Yasuní national park (Ecuador), together with the closely related Echinodorus tunicatus.

In earlier decades, E. horizontalis was widely distributed in the aquarium hobby and was exported from the area near Iquitos (Peru) together with e.g. Echinodorus grisebachii (type E. parviflorus? (read more)

Complete botanical name Echinódorus horizontális Rataj
Family Alismataceae
Genus Echinodorus
Difficulty easy
Usage Midground
Growth slow
Temperature tolerance 18 - 28°C
General hardness 0 - 30°dGH
Propagation Proliferating inflorescences, Rhizomteilung, Seeds
Can grow emersed? yes
Source Flowgrow
Complete botanical name
Echinódorus horizontális Rataj
Family
Alismataceae
Genus
Echinodorus
Difficulty
easy
Usage
Midground
Growth
slow
Temperature tolerance
18 - 28°C
General hardness
0 - 30°dGH
Propagation
Proliferating inflorescences, Rhizomteilung, Seeds
Can grow emersed?
yes
Source
Flowgrow

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