Syngonanthus anomalus Care Guide
Syngonanthus anomalus is a slim Brazilian pipewort with linear leaves that demands very soft, acidic water and CO2; S. macrocaulon is treated as a synonym.
Overview
Syngonanthus anomalus is a slim pipewort with linear leaves that produces head-shaped white flowers on long stalks when it blooms above the surface. It is a very demanding plant that needs very soft, acidic water and dosed CO2. The widely traded Syngonanthus macrocaulon is considered by several authors to be a synonym of S. anomalus.
Taxonomy
- Family: Eriocaulaceae
- Genus: Syngonanthus
- Scientific name: Syngonanthus anomalus
- Common synonyms: Syngonanthus macrocaulon (as treated by several authors)
Habitat
The plant comes from Brazil, from soft blackwater rivers and rivulets near the mouth of the Amazon, close to the city of Belem. The genus Syngonanthus is native to tropical Africa and Latin America, with many species in moist, acidic soils.
Growth requirements
- Light: high (intense lighting, around 1 watt per liter)
- CO2: required, around 20-40 mg/l reported
- Temperature: 22-27 °C (72-81 °F)
- pH: 5.0-6.5
- GH: 1-6 °dGH (soft water; GH and KH not over about 5)
- Growth rate: slow
- Maximum height: about 20 cm
Placement
It is used as a midground accent on a slightly acidic, nutrient-rich substrate. Sufficient iron supplementation helps maintain its bright color.
Propagation
Propagation is by adventitious plantlets, or by cuttings taking only the uppermost section of the stem to replant.