2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Hygroriza (lat. Hygroryza aristata) - a coastal plant belonging to the Bluegrass family, which is the closest relative of cultivated rice.
Description
Hygrorisa is a plant floating on the water surface, the velvety and alternately arranged leaves of which are characterized by a lanceolate shape and are painted in bluish tones. The leaflets of the hygroriza are equipped with heart-shaped notches at the bases and taper towards sharply rounded tips. In addition, they are completely not wetted with water, as their upper sides are densely covered with fancy water-repellent hairs. And their convex structure makes it possible for water droplets to roll towards the edges of the leaves.
The color of the leaves of a given plant is directly dependent on its condition and, of course, on the lighting. With a rather weak sunlight, it will be light green with a slight yellowness, with a strong one - intensely green, and with an obvious lack of lighting, the leaves turn yellowish and begin to gradually collapse.
The petioles of hygroriza can be reddish, pinkish or brownish. Just like floating leaves, they are equipped with a fairly large number of aerial cameras.
The stems of this plant are always straight and long. Sometimes they can even be formed by straight segments located at small angles. In water, however, such stems are located horizontally, approximately one centimeter from the water surface. By the way, on the shore, they are able to be not only horizontal, but also vertical and inclined. Quite often they form a dense turf.
Where grows
Hydroriza is most commonly found in India, Sri Lanka, Burma and Malaysia.
Usage
Hygroriza looks very impressive in aquariums - it is ideal for almost any design. Incidentally, this is the only aquatic herb that is cultivated in aquariums.
The graceful whips of the beauty of the hygroriza look extremely aesthetically pleasing and form thickets of the most diverse and very bizarre forms. For plants in need of well-diffused and very moderate light, it will become a life-saving shading. And its roots will serve as an excellent refuge for tiny fry. By the way, fish are very fond of laying eggs in them.
Growing and caring
Hygroriza is an excellent plant for tropical aquariums. It is easy to grow it throughout all seasons, since it is absolutely undemanding to the conditions of detention. And the best temperature for its comfort is the range from twenty-four to twenty-eight degrees. As for the hardness of water, just like the reaction of the aquatic environment, it does not have a significant effect on the development of a beautiful plant.
The water in the aquarium should be changed regularly, adding up to a third of the total volume. And in order to significantly enhance the growth of this attractive plant, it is important to try to provide it with intense lighting. In addition, at least for a very short time, but by all means, sunlight must also be received daily. For the organization of artificial lighting, fluorescent lamps will be the best choice, and their power for each decimeter of water area should be equal to 2 - 2, 5 watts. It is better not to use simple incandescent bulbs - they can easily burn the leaves of the hygrorizes. In order to determine the sufficiency of lighting, it is enough to look at the middle of the leaf blades of this aquatic inhabitant - if there is enough light for her, then brownish specks characterized by an irregular shape will appear in the centers of the leaves. As for the length of daylight hours, it should be at least twelve hours.
And to provide the plant with optimal air humidity, it does not hurt to cover the aquarium with a lid. Otherwise, the edges of its leaves may begin to dry out. By the way, if you provide the plant with a systematic water change, it will not need feeding.
As for reproduction, in artificial conditions it occurs vegetatively, through the separation of parts of the stems, on which there are at least four to six leaves. These processes are placed in water, and there they float until the roots are formed.
