Blyxa novoguineensis

Also known as Red Blyxa, Blyxa aubertii 'Red', Blyxa sp. 'Novoguineensis', Blyxa cf. novoguineensis

FreshwaterRosettePlantletsSide shoots

Blyxa novoguineensis (Blyxa novoguineensis) — (c) filibot.web, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Growth rate: Medium
Placement: Midground
Type: Rosette
Temperature: 68–82°F (20–28°C)
pH: 5.5–6.8
Hardness: 1–8 dGH
Max height: 11.8 in (30 cm)
Spread: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed
Difficulty: Medium
Origin: Southeast Asia (trade origin; true species from New Guinea)
Family: Hydrocharitaceae

Overview

Grown as a bushy midground rosette that shows off best in soft, slightly acidic water with CO2 and a good iron-rich nutrient supply, which deepens the red colour. The leaves are soft and brittle, so keep it away from strong flow and boisterous or plant-nibbling fish. Propagate by lifting the small daughter plants that appear at the base of the rosette or from short side shoots. It is not difficult but rewards attentive dosing.

In the wild

The plant traded under this name is a reddish-brown, grass-like rosette species from Southeast Asian still and slow waters. The true Blyxa novoguineensis Hartog is endemic to New Guinea and is almost certainly not the plant in cultivation. It grows rooted in soft substrate and forms a dense fountain of narrow leaves.

Good to know

This plant sits in the family Hydrocharitaceae. Its aquarium name is very likely a misidentification: herbarium type material of true B. novoguineensis shows a long, sparsely leaved stem, whereas the cultivated plant forms a compact leaf rosette, so most botanists treat it as a red form of Blyxa aubertii rather than a genuine B. novoguineensis. It holds reddish-brown to red tones even under only moderate light.

Did you know

Did you know this plant is probably wearing the wrong name? The species it is sold as lives only on New Guinea, but the rosette you actually buy is almost certainly a red form of Blyxa aubertii that picked up the label by mistake.