Hygrophila pinnatifida

Description

Hygrophila pinnatifida is a rare aquarium plant native to India, found in rivulets along the Western Ghats and north Indian state Uttar Pradesh. This species has been known for over 150 years but was only cultivated as an aquarium plant since 2008. Its leaves are pinnatilobed to pinnatisect and display a unique coloration on both emersed and submersed forms. Submersed leaves have a brown to olive green upper side with yellowish patterns, while the underside is Burgundy red. When cultivated underwater, H. pinnatifida develops upright shoots and runner-like creeping stems that can attach to rocks or driftwood. The stems are brown in color and relatively tough. The plant grows well under moderate light but prefers more intense lighting for a compact growth habit. H. pinnatifida requires good nutrient and CO2 supply, but may be susceptible to potassium deficiency, which causes small holes on older leaves. Substrate choice is unimportant as the plant forms a small root system that attaches to sand or gravel grains. Propagation involves using runner-like lateral shoots, with top shoot cuttings showing poor results. Growth rate varies depending on conditions and developmental stage, with plants growing more slowly under moderate light and nutrients but quickly under intense lighting and ample macronutrients and CO2. When cultivated emersed, the plant grows upright and develops glandular hairs, producing medium green leaves that are wider and shorter than underwater forms. The emersed form blooms in spring. H. pinnatifida is effective when planted in small groups in the middleground of an aquarium, where its unique leaf form and pattern stand out best. The low-growing plantlets can be used to create a foreground grouping, while neighboring plants with bright red hues may upstage this plant's dark color spectrum. Its ability to attach to rocks or driftwood offers possibilities for aquascaping that have not yet been explored.