Echinodorus grisebachii ‘Gracilis

This remarkable, small form of Echinodorus grisebachii was primarily described under the species name Echinodorus gracilis. It was found at the river Oyapock (Oiapoque) at the border of French Guyana and Brazil (Amapá) where it grows emersed and submerged, depending on season and water level. The submerged leaves are mostly not longer than 20 cm, with a width of about 1 cm. The plant forms a dense, broad rosette of many leaves. This wild type is very rarely grown in aquariums although it is already known since the 1960s.

Echinodorus grisebachii ‘Gracilis’ is more demanding than the popular E. grisebachii forms ‘Bleherae’, ‘Amazonicus’, and ‘Parviflorus’. One should take care to a good macronutrient and iron supply, also from the substrate. The plant is susceptible to iron deficiency that is expressed by pale coloration of the new leaves. According to previous experiences this plant grows better with low to medium than strong lighting. A CO₂ concentration of at least 20 mg/l is beneficial. This Echinodorus has a rather slow to medium growth rate. Occasionally the plant develops its slender inflorescences with adventitious plantlets. Short-day lighting (less than 12 hours per day) promotes flowering.

Depending on the tank size, this Echinodorus wild type is suited for the midground or foreground, as low solitary plant or small group. With its narrow, light to medium green leaves it differs from many other Echinodorus in the aquarium hobby and is surely interesting for the aquascaping, especially for tanks with a natural appearance.