Cryptocoryne spiralis var. cognatoides

Plant Name: Cryptocoryne spiralis var. cognatoides

Tankquility Catalogue #: TQ-01433

Synonyms/Trade Names:

Original Plant Sourced as: Cryptocoryne spiralis var. cognatoides

Plant Family: Araceae

Plant Native to¹: Western Ghats of India (the crypts pages - http://www.cryptocoryneworld.org/index.php)

Plant Type: Semiaquatic

Image Details²:

Image 1: Emerse greenhouse grown plant of Cryptocoryne spiralis var. cognatoides.

Image 2: Emerse greenhouse grown plant of Cryptocoryne spiralis var. cognatoides showing the characteristic large loosely spiralled inflorescence.

General Information and Cultivation³: A medium to large-size crypt, notable for the sizeable inflorescence it produces. The spathe of Cryptocoryne spiralis var. cognatoides often matches the leaves in length and can exceed 30cm. The species does not propagate vegetatively via stolons like most crypts, rather producing plantlets from the rhizome. Tankquility has been trialling this clone for submerse growing, with results being inconclusive as to whether the plant can survive submerse conditions long term. This plant would make a nice addition as an emergent in an aquarium or paludarium.

Cryptocoryne spiralis var. cognatoides is adaptable to water (soft to medium-hard) and substrate (slightly acid to near-neutral) conditions.

Growing this crypt emerse is straightforward, as it tolerates lower humidity and higher light intensity than most other crypts.

Identification Notes: Tankquility has flowered this clone and confirmed its identity as the variety cognatoides, belonging to the species Cryptocoryne spiralis.

Ease of Care: Easy

Plant Size/Portion Size:

Emerse grown plant: Small to medium-size plant with strong root development.

Further Reading:

Bogner, J. (2013). A new variety of Cryptocoryne spiralis (Retzius) Fischer ex Wydler (Araceae) from India. Aqua Planta 38 (4): 141-148. [translated by Jan D. Bastmeijer]

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.