Echinodorus × schlueteri

Description

Echinodorus maculatus is often mislabeled as Echinodorus schlueteri in Germany. True Echinodorus schlueteri, scientifically described by Karel Rataj in 1981, is less well-known and identical to the plant sold as Echinodorus cordifolius 'Mini'. A molecular study proved that Echinodorus schlueteri is likely a hybrid of Echinodorus maculatus and Echinodorus reptilis from south-eastern South America. As such, it's named Echinodorus × schlueteri. When grown underwater, Echinodorus schlueteri is a relatively low-growing plant with light to medium green leaves that are ovate to slightly heart-shaped. New leaves lack spots and leaf stalks are about as long as the blades. Emersed growth can reach over 30 cm in height, with roundish to ovate leaves on relatively long stalks. The inflorescence is thin and usually has no more than two whorls of flowers with large overlapping petals.