[ianiwane]

What do you guys think of this plant. I've been growing it for a bit. Very slow growing plant. Very rare plant. Anyone else in the US have it?

Link to Rayon Vert Aqua
http://www.rva.jp/plants/saofrancisco_irecienu.htm

 

[fishfry]

Reminds me of basil...haven't seen this plant before.

 

[ianiwane]

its an interesting plant, under high light the top leaves are pink and more slender. The picture shown is with the plant under about 14 inches of water.

 

[ianiwane]

update of picture with close up flower. Any ideas on a species name Cavan?

 

[Inspire91]

I do have this plant, how are you getting it to grow? i cant seem to get it to constantly grow. It does well for a little bit, and then it just stops very nice and colorful plant

 

[ianiwane]

You know what, the same thing happens to me. It does not seem to like my soft water. The plant pictured is currently growing out of my tank.

 

[Cavan Allen]

Any ideas on a species name Cavan?

Not yet. I've talked to someone at the University of Florida about this one and he has been most helpful. I just sent him the link to this page. The flower photos should really help. Can you take a few more? Some with good detail of the stamens would be great.

Mine was doing quite well until I moved it. After that, it melted. :| My water is on the soft side, so I guess that may have something to do with it. It seems weird though, that a plant reputed to be from Brazil would prefer harder water.

 

[Navarro]

Mine is doing just fine, out of one stem I probably have 13 or so. The tank is 2/3 of ro and 1/3 of tap water no problems so far, it grows slowly but doesn't seem to get stunt just yet.
Navarro

 

[ianiwane]

wonder why, I'll try to take some more shots tomorrow. The flower has actually closed for the night.

 

[ianiwane]

Forgot I took some closer pictures earlier, hope this helps.

 

[ianiwane]

and a couple more shots

90mm macro lens

90mm macro with +10 lens

 

[Inspire91]

I just checked one of my japanese plant books i had just bought this summer and it doesnt give a species name, but it does give a genus name..."Melastomataceae" hope this somehow helps?

 

[Cavan Allen]

Melastomataceae of the World

Melastomataceae is a family and not a genus. It is, according to the site above, the 7th largest plant family in the world.

 

[Inspire91]

woops...interesting, though just thought that that name might help a little

 

[Cavan Allen]

I've done some asking and have word that this plant is an Acisanthera species. There are five known aquatic species, but I'll have to do some research at a botanical garden to see which one. It won't be easy, but it should be a fun project.

 

[ianiwane]

cool, Cavan. Let me know when you find out

 

[HeyPK]

When Cavan finishes his research, he should get a stem of this species for his efforts---that is, if he is interested.

 

[ianiwane]

I already did, haha.

 

[apistaeasy]

Mine is doing just fine, out of one stem I probably have 13 or so. The tank is 2/3 of ro and 1/3 of tap water no problems so far, it grows slowly but doesn't seem to get stunt just yet.
Navarro

Luis,
What specifically are your water parameters? I grew up in Houston, but can't remember how hard the water is. IIRC, it's pretty hard...

ianiwane was generous enough to give me a couple of stems, and like others, I haven't seen very fast growth in my tonina/erio tank. I'm thinking of putting it in a medium soft water tank and see what happens (I only have two stems, I'm a little hesitant to throw them into unknown conditions)

ERiK

 

[ianiwane]

Its growing really well for me now. Its in a very high light, high CO2 tank with aquasoil and soft water. I had it in similar conditions before in another tank and it never grew well. I cannot figure it out. I just know I won't be moving it from the tank it is currently in.