Form of Anubias barteri

Anubias Jungle Star

Anubias barteri var. nana 'Jungle Star'

One of 29 forms of Anubias barteri · See all forms →

Also known as Anubias barteri 'Jungle Star', Anubias Dark Star

FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome division

Forms · Anubias barteri

See all 29 →

Care at a glance

Light
Low light
CO2
No CO₂ needed
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
5.1 in
13 cm
Placement
Epiphyte
Type
Rhizome
pH
6.0–8.0
Hardness
2–18 dGH
Spread
4.7 in (12 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Water column
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Beginner
Family
Araceae
Origin
Cultivated form (nursery selection, no wild range)

Overview

Jungle Star is a compact anubias for the foreground of a larger tank or the midground of a nano. It is a beginner plant.

Did you know

Buce Plant also lists Jungle Star as Anubias Dark Star. Shop texts call its leaves rounded, pointed or elongated, though the photos on all three pages show the same leaf.

Caring for Anubias Jungle Star

Glue or tie the rhizome to stone or wood and keep it above the substrate, since a buried rhizome can rot. Low light and no CO2 are enough, and CO2 with a lean liquid fertilizer speeds it a little.

Buce Plant rates its growth slow to moderate. Keep the light modest so algae does not settle on the glossy leaves, and split the rhizome once it branches to make more plants.

Good to know

Jungle Star is an aroid in the family Araceae, sold as Anubias barteri var. nana 'Jungle Star' or Anubias barteri 'Jungle Star'. It forms a dense crown of small, very glossy, dark green oval leaves with pointed tips on short stalks. Thick Leaf has larger, rounder leaves on longer stalks. Petite has smaller, rounder leaves, and Chili has sparse, narrow, twisted ones.

In the wild

Jungle Star is a trade form with no wild population, and no shop names a breeder or lab. Glass Aqua calls it a newer variety with little information available. Buce Plant sells it as a form of the dwarf Anubias barteri var. nana. That dwarf grows on rocks and roots along shaded streams in Cameroon, often above the waterline.

Common questions

Is Anubias Jungle Star a different species from Anubias barteri?

No. Anubias Jungle Star is a form of Anubias barteri. It reaches about 5.1 in (13 cm), against 13.8 in (35 cm) for the species. It also differs in spread.

Does Anubias Jungle Star need to be planted in the substrate?

No. Anubias Jungle Star grows attached to rock or wood, so tie or glue the rhizome in place. If you plant its roots, keep the rhizome above the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots.

Does Anubias Jungle Star need CO2?

No. Anubias Jungle Star grows well without added CO2 and suits a low-tech tank.

How much light does Anubias Jungle Star need?

Anubias Jungle Star is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.

Does Anubias Jungle Star need root tabs?

No. Anubias Jungle Star feeds from the water, so a liquid fertilizer suits it better. Root tabs only help if its roots reach into the substrate.

How do you propagate Anubias Jungle Star?

Anubias Jungle Star propagates by rhizome division. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.

How tall does Anubias Jungle Star grow?

Anubias Jungle Star grows to about 5.1 in (13 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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