Cryptocoryne ciliata var. latifolia Care Guide
Cryptocoryne ciliata var. latifolia is the broad-leaved, tetraploid form of a brackish-tolerant crypt from the estuarine tidal zones of South and Southeast Asia.
Overview
Cryptocoryne ciliata is a member of the arum family (Araceae) and one of the few crypts that tolerates brackish water. The variety latifolia is distinguished from the typical form by its broad leaves; documentation of the species notes that var. ciliata has narrower leaves and long overground runners, while var. latifolia has broad leaves and forms short shoots in the leaf axils. The broad-leaved variety has been recorded as a tetraploid (2n = 33) and is described as sterile, whereas var. ciliata is fertile.
Taxonomy
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Cryptocoryne
- Scientific name: Cryptocoryne ciliata var. latifolia
Habitat
Cryptocoryne ciliata is widespread in the mangroves of Southeast Asia, ranging from eastern India and Bangladesh through Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia to Papua New Guinea. It grows on mudflats along larger and smaller rivers, ditches and canals in tidal zones with brackish water, sometimes just reaching the freshwater tidal zone. In these estuarine habitats it is often associated with mangrove trees such as Bruguiera and Rhizophora and the palm Nypa.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (72-82 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- GH: 6-18 °dGH
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Growth rate: medium
- Maximum height: about 50 cm
- Placement: background
- Water type: tolerates slightly brackish water
Planting and care
As a rhizome plant it is rooted in a nutrient-rich substrate, where it draws nutrients mainly through its roots. Because of its size it suits the background of larger tanks. The species is reported as easy to cultivate in emersed culture in a simple mixture of sand and peat litter, where it propagates rapidly and tolerates relatively dry air and full sun; however it is sensitive to cold. Among cryptocorynes it is unusual in tolerating slightly brackish conditions, reflecting its natural estuarine range.
Propagation
Propagation is vegetative. The broad-leaved variety forms short shoots in the leaf axils, while the typical narrow-leaved form spreads by long overground runners. In aquarium culture daughter plants that develop from the rhizome are separated and replanted once they have established their own roots.