Bucephalandra pygmaea (TQ-01067)

Plant Name: Bucephalandra pygmaea (TQ-01067)

Tankquility Catalogue #: TQ-01067

Synonyms/Trade Names:

Original Plant Sourced as: Name withheld; considered arbitrary and of dubious value.

Plant Family: Araceae

Plant Native to¹: Borneo

Plant Type: Semiaquatic (rheophyte)

Image Details²:

Image 1: Emerse Bucephalandra pygmaea (TQ-01067).

Image 2: Detailed view of the inflorescence of Bucephalandra pygmaea (TQ-01067). The spathe has been artificially removed to reveal the entire spadix.

General Information and Cultivation³: A slow growing creeping buce, relatively easy to cultivate in terrarium conditions if its requirements are met. A moderate amount of ventilation is necessary, and daily misting beneficial. As for all plants in the genus, emerse Bucephalandra pygmaea (TQ-01067) prefer low-light levels, otherwise bleaching of the leaves may occur. Attach to wood and rocks, or plant directly into the substrate. Do not bury the rhizome or it may rot. In terrarium culture, leaf blades grow to about 40mm×16mm, and plants can reach 50mm in height. Submerse plants are likely to produce leaves that are smaller.

Though Tankquility hasn’t grown this clone aquatically, the vast majority of Bucephalandra transition readily to aquarium conditions.

Identification Notes: Examination of the inflorescence and other features of the plant has revealed clone (TQ-01067) to be Bucephalandra pygmaea.

Ease of Care: Easy

Plant Size/Portion Size:

Emerse grown plant: 4 to 5-leaf tip cutting with/without root development.

Further Reading:

Boyce, P.C. & Wong, S.Y. (2012). Studies on Schismatoglottideae (Araceae) of Borneo XX: Beccari’s «La Più piccola delle Aracee» (Microcasia pygmaea) recollected and transferred to Bucephalandra Schott. Webbia 67 (2): 139-146.

¹ Distribution is taken from Plants of the World Online (https://powo.science.kew.org/) unless stated otherwise.

² All images used on the Tankquility website have been taken of plants growing in our nursery.

³ The general and cultural information provided is based on our own experience and observation. If we supply information from others, we have acknowledged the source.