Bucephalandra sp. (TQ-01044)

Plant Name: Bucephalandra sp. (TQ-01044)

Tankquility Catalogue #: TQ-01044

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 sp. (TQ-01044).

Image 2: Detailed view of the inflorescence of Bucephalandra (TQ-01044). The spathe has been artificially removed to reveal the entire spadix.

General Information and Cultivation³: A slow growing upright 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 sp. (TQ-01044) 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 130mm×20mm, and plants can reach 150mm 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. Bucephalandra sp. (TQ-01044) has quite coriaceous leaves compared to most buce, so transition is expected to be slow.

Identification Notes: Examination of the inflorescence and other features of the plant has revealed clone (TQ-01044) to be a new undescribed species. Seven recognised species of Bucephalandra are known to share the characteristic of the length of the spadix appendix (infertile) exceeding the length of the fertile (male + female) portion of the spadix (Wong et al. 2022). Bucephalandra sp. (TQ-01044) adds to this number.

Ease of Care: Easy

Plant Size/Portion Size:

Emerse grown plant: Medium-size plant with minimum of 4 leaves, 80mm - 100mm in height.

Further Reading:

Wong, S.Y., Boyce, P.C. & Hii, A.Y.M. (2022). Studies on Schismatoglottideae (Araceae) of Borneo LXVIII: Bucephalandra adei, a new species from Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Webbia 77 (1): 135-144.

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.