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Aponogeton madagascariensis - Lace Plant
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Reviews
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Date product posted
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3397
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Mon May 23, 2005
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Recommended By
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No recommendations
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None indicated
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Description:
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Common Name: Lace Plant
Scientific Name: Aponogeton madagascariensis
Light: Medium to High
Co2: Not essential to growth
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
This intriguing specialty plant, as its name suggests, is native to Madagascar. This plant is characterized by its unique growth pattern: the leaves look like lace. The areas between veining and support structures do not fill in, giving the leave a delicate, skeletal appearance. As with other Aponogeton sp. , the vibrant deep green leaves grow from a tuber and are supported by a petiole.
This plant makes several demands on the aquarist and can be notoriously difficult to sustain. It must have a nutrient rich substrate with very clean, clear water. A tank with frequent water changes is a must as it tends to die off in “older” water. Light should be medium to bright though this plant supposedly prefers diffused light. Acidic water is ideal, although it grows in harder water as well. A moderate current is appreciated.
Some specimens occasionally stop producing new leaves. When this happens, new growth can be stimulated by giving this plant its natural dormant period by placing it in a bag filled with wet peat moss and storing it for a month or two before placing it back into the aquarium.
Even under what seem to be perfect conditions, A. madagascariensis has been known to wither away and die after long periods in the aquarium.
To further complicate the housing of this species, there are several varieties (having different leaf width and height) which all seem to prefer different water parameters and care.
Any algae-consuming fish housed with this species must be delicate in their approach since any roughness with the leaves will damage the delicate tissue.
A. madagascariensis is normally fairly expensive, but if housed in the proper conditions, this plant will surely become a focal specimen with a great visual impact. Due to its particular needs, this plant is ideal as a focal point in a tank centered around its needs.
Propagation is achieved by the splitting of the tuber or by seeds. It should be noted, however, that the flower seeds are very difficult to germinate. Flowers are rare and bear resemblance to those of A. crispus. Many specimens today are created via tissue culture.
Photographs courtesy of Ramirezi.
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