Ammannia senegalensis
Ammannia senegalensis
Also known as Ammania senegalensis, Senegal ammannia, Copperleaf ammannia
Care at a glance
- Light
- High light
- CO2
- CO₂ required
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Placement
- Midground
- Type
- Stem
- Temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH
- 5.5–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–12 dGH
- Max height
- 17.7 in (45 cm)
- Spread
- 3.9 in (10 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Origin
- Native to freshwater marshes and seasonally flooded ground across tropical Africa.
- Family
- Lythraceae
Overview
This plant demands bright light and cannot be grown well in shade, developing its copper and red tones only under intense lighting. CO2 and extra iron and potassium noticeably improve growth and color. Plant it in the midground to background with space between stems, and it does best under careful high-tech care.
In the wild
Ammannia senegalensis grows upright with paired leaves that curl slightly and turn copper, orange, and brick red under intense light. It is found in African freshwater marshes and floodplains that dry out seasonally. The bright coloration makes even a small group stand out against green plants.
Good to know
Ammannia senegalensis is a member of the loosestrife family, Lythraceae, and a relative of the toothcups. Its red pigments develop under bright light as the plant produces protective anthocyanins. Many red stem plants in this family are grown for the same color response.
Did you know
The intensity of its copper-red color is a direct readout of your lighting, since it needs strong light to develop the pigment.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
- Aquarium Plants Factory Aquatic plants shipped from a California greenhouse
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
High-light plants · Midground plants · Stem plants · Advanced plants · Red plants
Growing Ammannia senegalensis?
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