I haven't heard of anyone actually keeping this plant. It is very rare in the US. Hope some eventually makes its way to us over here!! Very nice plants and great find!! Congrats
Cryptocoryne balansae is treated today as a variety of Cryptocoryne crispatula, called C. crispatula var. balansae. As far as I know, at the moment the botanists distinguish 7 varieties of C. crispatula: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc.../alphabet.html
But apparently there are also forms or populations of C. crispatula not well fitting in any of the described varieties.
I mean, the inflorescence of Your Crypt points to Cryptocoryne crispatula, compare with these photos: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc...y/cri/cri.html
But I agree, it's not the var. balansae.
how fun man, i had a hard time finding one barclaya and when i finally purchased a bulb it was something else...booo. i now have one plant i traded with a friend, cool plant!
Cryptocoryne balansae is treated today as a variety of Cryptocoryne crispatula, called C. crispatula var. balansae. As far as I know, at the moment the botanists distinguish 7 varieties of C. crispatula: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc.../alphabet.html
But apparently there are also forms or populations of C. crispatula not well fitting in any of the described varieties.
I mean, the inflorescence of Your Crypt points to Cryptocoryne crispatula, compare with these photos: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc...y/cri/cri.html
But I agree, it's not the var. balansae.
13 comments on "Collect Barclaya in Viet Nam"
November 3, 2011 at 1:16 am
Nice plants you picked up there. Last picture looks like a Crypt Balansae? Cool trip!
November 3, 2011 at 8:27 am
Must be nice to be able to have access to aquatic plants in the wild. Thanks for sharing.
November 3, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Nice plants you picked up there. Last picture looks like a Crypt Balansae? Cool trip!
In my tank with fruit
November 4, 2011 at 8:57 pm
Wow that's an awesome plant!
November 5, 2011 at 3:31 am
!!!!!! wow!

I haven't heard of anyone actually keeping this plant. It is very rare in the US. Hope some eventually makes its way to us over here!! Very nice plants and great find!! Congrats
November 5, 2011 at 7:33 am
Hi tien13378,
Cryptocoryne balansae is treated today as a variety of Cryptocoryne crispatula, called C. crispatula var. balansae. As far as I know, at the moment the botanists distinguish 7 varieties of C. crispatula: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc.../alphabet.html
But apparently there are also forms or populations of C. crispatula not well fitting in any of the described varieties.
I mean, the inflorescence of Your Crypt points to Cryptocoryne crispatula, compare with these photos: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc...y/cri/cri.html
But I agree, it's not the var. balansae.
Cryptocoryne albida is very close to C. crispatula, apparently some plants have very similar inflorescences: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc...y/abi/abi.html
November 6, 2011 at 12:46 pm
how fun man, i had a hard time finding one barclaya and when i finally purchased a bulb it was something else...booo. i now have one plant i traded with a friend, cool plant!
November 10, 2011 at 9:27 pm
Is that a shaded habitat or is it more open? I can't quite tell. Water warm or cool?
November 10, 2011 at 10:55 pm
Hi tien13378,
Cryptocoryne balansae is treated today as a variety of Cryptocoryne crispatula, called C. crispatula var. balansae. As far as I know, at the moment the botanists distinguish 7 varieties of C. crispatula: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc.../alphabet.html
But apparently there are also forms or populations of C. crispatula not well fitting in any of the described varieties.
I mean, the inflorescence of Your Crypt points to Cryptocoryne crispatula, compare with these photos: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc...y/cri/cri.html
But I agree, it's not the var. balansae.
Cryptocoryne albida is very close to C. crispatula, apparently some plants have very similar inflorescences: http://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptoc...y/abi/abi.html
Dear All, thansk a lot for all your comments. Share one more huge Barclaya (Red) collected other place
November 11, 2011 at 9:29 am
AMAZING! I'm sooo envious of you Tien!!!! What a fun trip, and you have an amazing tank!