Panama swordplant

Description

Echinodorus tunicatus resembles E. horizontalis, with similarities in its appearance and habitats. However, it has a distinct distribution, occurring in Central America (Panama and Costa Rica) as well as northern South America (Ecuador). This plant thrives in smaller waterbodies with muddy to humous ground in bogwoods, often in brighter areas than E. horizontalis. Its inflorescence is short and upright, with a thick axis and numerous flowers per whorl, whereas E. horizontalis forms long, low-lying flower stalks with adventitious plants and fewer flowers. The leaf stalks of E. tunicatus are grouped closer together, with narrower submersed leaves than those of E. horizontalis. Both species have similar leaf shapes, being longish-heartshaped and acuminate, with round, smooth leaf stalks and almost horizontal leaf blades. They also share transparent patterns in their leaves that form a grid across the leaf veins.