The 'yellow-leafed' type is, if I am not mistaken, Rotala macrandra 'Green' grown under high light. The yellow narrow leaf variant is cute!!! Can we name it Rotala macrandra 'Green Narrow Leaf' (Rotala magenta 'Green')? :mrgreen:
Of the various variants of Rotala macrandra, Rotala macrandra 'Narrow Leaf' (Rotala magenta) is my favorite. Albeit reported to be difficult, my experience has not been so. It is one of the most vigorous and tolerant plant in my tanks. Requiring only moderate to strong light and CO2, this plant exhibits the deepest red coloration than any other plant that I know of. It also branches VERY prolifically and takes to harsh prunnings quite well. I currently have a dense stand of it, and every two weeks, I hack it to within 1.5" of the substrate line. So far, it has managed to come back time and time again. The only other R. macrandra variant that responds as well is IME Rotala macrandra 'Green'.
An interesting observation: for the past several months, my stand of Rotala macrandra 'Narrow Leaf' periodically puts out stems that sprout egg-shaped leaves that are about 1/3 the size of regular Rotala macrandra -- quite big and different from the more generic slender leaves shown in biker's photo above. I wonder what could trigger such a transformation? :?