Re: [RML] Australian hygro?

Gary Lange (gwlange at stlnet.com)
Sat, 25 Nov 2000 10:41:48 -0600

I took a look at Rhonda's webpage and I <think> I have to agree that it's
not Hygrophila augustifolia. (I'm not a plant dude and have to depend on
the books). I had some emersed pictures that I took for a wholesaler here a
few years ago but sent all of the extras on to the AGA. At the AGA
conference I was the successful bidder on a plant from Dave Gomberg. I'm
relying on his expertise to know what plant is what. The common name
"willow grass" fits it well. Mine has some red leaves but a lot of the
leaves that are now growing out are green. (probably due to lower light and
no extra CO2). If you have the Dennerle book there is a picture of the
emersed form pg 96. The leaves are about twice as wide and very thickish
though compared to the submersed form (that I have).

Dave, do these plants keep these characteristics when you bring them home
into your aquaria (long thin red versus broad green leaves)? I'm just
wondering if one gets more light, (clear versus murky water?) which produces
more reds or if something in the substrate changes their looks. Broad green
leaves also sounds more like the emersed variety. Does the plant grow out
of the water at both sites? Do they look quite different too? If they do
then I guess that's another plant that we have to try and get over to the
US. Is the plant guru (in Townsville) raising both varieties?

gary lange

-----Original Message-----
From: Dave & Robyn Wilson <rwilson at octa4.net.au>
To: rainbowfish at pcug.org.au <rainbowfish at pcug.org.au>
Date: Thursday, November 23, 2000 4:22 PM
Subject: Re: [RML] Australian hygro?

Rhonda,

The Hygrophila species that grows in and around the wetlands in the
Northern Territory is Hygrophila angustifolia.
The same species has different forms when you get it from different creeks
and rivers. An example is the one in the Howard River has long thin
red/brown leaves and the one from the Mary River floodplain has broader
green leaves.

Cheers
Dave Wilson
-------------------------------

>A long time ago, like a couple years, I asked about this plant and I
>think it was Bruce who knew what it was. Well I thought I'd saved the
>message and now I took a photo of some and want to put it on my web page
>but can't find the name. Anyway does someone know what the real name of
>Australian Hygro is?
>
>Thanks,
>Rhonda
>--
>http://naturalaquariums.com