Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Aquatic & Hydrophyte (Submerged Aquatic) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | West Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Aquatic |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An aquatic bulb, it is tolerant of mildly brackish water. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The leaves are narrow and crinkled, reaching up to 70 to 100cm in length and 0.2 to 0.7cm in width. The leaves tend to curl and loop underwater. |
| Stems | The an onion-like bulb which serves as a storage organ. |
| Flowers | Flowers are borne on an inflorescence which rises above the water surface before blooming. The attractive flowers are white with 6 petals fused at the base with a tubular corolla. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | It is commonly used in the aquascaping of freshwater aquariums and can be found in local freshwater aquarium shops or farms. |
| Cultivation | It can be grow in water with pH levels of 6.8 to 7.5 and in water temperatures of 24 to 28°C. It can grow in waters of varying hardness and is a hardy plant. Due to the length of its leaves and widespread root system, it is best grown in a large tank as a mid-ground or background plant. The bulb should be planted one-third above the substrate and grown under bright light. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Aquarium / Aquascape |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Waterlogged Soils |
| Transplanting Tolerance | Poor / Sensitive |
| Propagation Method | Storage Organ (Bulb), Division |
| Propagation Method Remarks | It is propagated by the splitting of the bulblets from the main bulb. |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Crinkled / Twisted |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Bulb) |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31336 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5733 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
