TankBud

Aponogeton boivinianus

Also known as Madagascar swordplant, Boivin's aponogeton

FreshwaterBulb / tuberBulb offsets

Aponogeton boivinianus (Aponogeton boivinianus)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C
Max height
19.7 in
50 cm
Growth rate
Fast
Placement
Background
Type
Bulb / tuber
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–12 dGH
Spread
11.8 in (30 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root feeder
Growth region
Submersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Aponogetonaceae
Origin
Madagascar

Overview

A large statement plant for big tanks only, since mature leaves can run 30 to 50 cm. Sit the tuber with its sprout tip at the substrate surface, give it a rich root feed and some current, and it grows strongly into a full rosette. It genuinely needs a dormant rest period where the bulb sheds its leaves; do not throw the tuber out, just leave it and wait for it to resprout. CO2 and root tabs noticeably improve growth, and it tends to be pricier and harder to find than common Aponogeton.

In the wild

Endemic to Madagascar, where it grows submersed in flowing streams and rivers. The moving water it comes from explains why it appreciates good current and clean conditions in the tank. It grows from a tuber and naturally rests through a dry phase.

Good to know

An Aponogetonaceae species from a rounded tuber, larger and more robust than A. crispus. Its dark green leaves develop a distinctive deeply puckered, blistered (bullate) surface as they mature, while young leaves emerge light green to brownish. It can flower above the surface like other Aponogeton.

Did you know

Did you know the heavily textured, almost quilted look of its leaves comes from raised pockets of tissue (bullae) between the veins, a trait that makes it instantly recognizable among the sword-leaved bulb plants.

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