Aponogeton ulvaceus

Aponogeton ulvaceus is a submerged aquatic plant in the Aponogetonaceae family.[2] It has a small cone shaped, slightly hairy rhizome about 1.18 inches (30mm) in diameter. The leaf blades have a base that tapers gradually, pale green in colour (reddish under intense light), 20+ inches (50+ cm) long and 3 inches (8 cm) broad, with a wavy margin on petioles of an equal length, and in appearance slightly translucent. A single bulb may produce up to forty leaves in good conditions. No floating leaves are formed.

Aponogeton ulvaceus

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Alismatales
Family: Aponogetonaceae
Genus: Aponogeton
Species:
A. ulvaceus
Binomial name
Aponogeton ulvaceus
Synonyms

Aponogeton ambongensis Jum.
Aponogeton violaceus Lagerh.

The yellow flowers are produced on one or two, and sometimes more, erect spikes.

Origin

It is distributed throughout central and northern Madagascar. In the wild, the plant is permanently submerged and grows in both still and moving waters and sunny and partially shaded environments.

Cultivation and uses

Aponogeton ulvaceus will tolerate most water conditions, but will thrive in slightly alkaline water conditions and a temperature of around 72 °F (22 °C). Additional CO2 produces more luxuriant growth. It likes a bright position but will grow in partial shade. In an aquarium it makes a very good specimen plant.

Use a fine brush to pollinate the flowers. In a sand/very fine gravel compost the seeds will germinate in about one to two weeks.

The leaves are attractive to snails who can do a lot of damage to these plants in an aquarium. Perhaps dependent on origin and genetics some plants will go dormant in the winter and for several months can be kept at a lower temperature, others seem to keep growing. Many hybrids of this species are sold in the aquarium trade and the true form is probably quite rare.

References
  1. Manjato, N. & Ravololomanana, N. (2017). "Aponogeton ulvaceus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T88495537A88495555. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T88495537A88495555.en. Retrieved July 15, 2020.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. "Aponogeton ulvaceus Baker". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  • Rataj, Dr. Karel and Horeman, T. J., Aquarium Plants, TFH Publications, 1977
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