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aponogeton
Scientific Name: Aponogeton
Family: Aponogetonaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Aponogeton: The Aquatic Marvel
Aponogeton, belonging to the family Aponogetonaceae, is a genus of aquatic plants prized for their beauty and ease of care in aquariums. With species native to tropical Asia and Africa, including Madagascar, these plants offer a diverse range of leaf shapes and sizes, making them popular among aquascapers.
Considerations for Pets
- Some species have corms or rhizomes which could be ingested.
- Long, flowing leaves could be appealing for pets to play with.
Scientific Name and Common Names
- Scientific Name: Aponogeton
- Common Names: Cape-pondweed, Cape pond lily, Waterblommetjie (specifically for Aponogeton distachyos), Water Hawthorn (specifically for Aponogeton distachyos)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Family: Aponogetonaceae (also known as the Cape-pondweed family or Aponogeton family)
- Order: Alismatales
- Major Group: Angiosperms
- Aponogeton is the only genus in the family Aponogetonaceae.
- Synonyms/Former Names: Aponogeton krauseanus (previously used for a rare species)
- Examples of Species:
- Aponogeton boivinianus
- Aponogeton capuroni
- Aponogeton henkelianus
- Aponogeton ulvaceus
- Aponogeton crispus
- Aponogeton madagascariensis
- Aponogeton satarensis
- Aponogeton bruggenii
- Aponogeton longiplumulosus
- Aponogeton undulatus
- Aponogeton distachyos
- Aponogeton prolifer
- Aponogeton hexatepalus
- Aponogeton queenslandicus
- Aponogeton bullosus
- Aponogeton fugax
Distribution and Habitat
- The genus Aponogeton is widely distributed through tropical Asia, as far east as India and as far north as South Korea.
- Species are native to Africa, including Madagascar.
- Aponogeton madagascariensis is commonly found in moving water on the island of Madagascar.
- Aponogeton queenslandicus grows in temporary freshwater bodies between 30 and 60cm in depth.
Ecological Role
- Aponogeton distachyos (Cape pond lily) is regarded as an environmental weed in Victoria, Australia, and as a minor environmental weed or potential environmental weed elsewhere.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Aponogeton plants grow from a bulb (more accurately, a tuberous rhizome).
- They have long, flowing leaves.
- Aponogeton madagascariensis forms a rosette of leaves that vary in length and have a lace-like (fenestrated) appearance.
- Aponogeton distachyos has long, oval-shaped leaves that float on the water surface.
- Flowers of Aponogeton distachyos stand up out of the water.
- Asian varieties typically have a single bloom, while African (including Madagascar) varieties have multiple blooms on a stalk.
- Size varies depending on the species; for example, Aponogeton ulvaceus can reach a height of 25-50cm (10-20in).
Quirky Facts
- Aponogeton ulvaceus is considered one of the most beautiful bulb species in the Aponogeton family.
- CO2 supplementation can greatly benefit Aponogeton growth in a well-lit and nutrient-rich aquarium.
- Dried Aponogeton bulbs are often sold and can be successfully sprouted in aquariums.
Further Information
- The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides information on Aponogeton distachyos.
- ARKive features photos and facts about Aponogeton.
- WCSP (World Checklist of Selected Plant Families) includes information about Aponogeton bruggenii.