Borneo (trade clone of the B. pygmaea complex, collection site unknown)
Overview
Bucephalandra Biblis builds a bushy clump 5 to 8 cm high and 14 cm or more across. It suits nano tanks and foregrounds, and it is easy to keep.
Did you know
Biblis covers the leaves it grows underwater in tiny silver spots. Aquasabi identifies them as stomata, the pores a leaf uses to exchange gases with its surroundings.
Caring for Bucephalandra Biblis
Tie or glue Biblis to rock or wood with the rhizome uncovered. It can also sit on the substrate with the rhizome on top, and its roots will grow down into the soil.
Low light is enough to grow it. Submersed leaves often turn dark purple, and that color shows best under medium light with steady CO2 and fertilizer. It takes nutrients through its roots and from the water, so a liquid fertilizer feeds it on hardscape. Keep it at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).
Biblis is a slow grower, though it grows fairly fast for a Buce when conditions suit it. Cut off side shoots or head shoots to propagate it, which also makes the clump branch. The rhizome can be divided as well.
Good to know
Biblis is an aroid, and like other Araceae it can flower with a small spadix. Botanists S.Y. Wong and P.C. Boyce (2014) list it among trade names for undetermined plants of the Bucephalandra pygmaea complex. Aquasabi notes that it looks much like Bucephalandra sordidula. Its narrow blades run about 4 cm long and 9 mm wide, with tightly curled margins. Emersed leaves are very dark olive to red-brown, and new leaves open a light brown-orange. Biblis Blue Sky and Biblis Blue are separate plants with smaller, greener leaves.
In the wild
Biblis traces back to Borneo, home of the whole genus, but its species and collection site are unknown. The genus colonizes rocks in the flood zone of streams there, in soft, acidic water at tropical temperatures. Rising and falling water keeps the plants submersed for part of the year and emersed for the rest. Buce Plant's Biblis stock is farm-raised.
Common questions
Does Bucephalandra Biblis need to be planted in the substrate?
No. Bucephalandra Biblis 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 Bucephalandra Biblis need CO2?
No, but it helps. Bucephalandra Biblis can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.
How much light does Bucephalandra Biblis need?
Bucephalandra Biblis is a low-light plant, and the light that comes with a standard tank kit is enough for it.
Does Bucephalandra Biblis need root tabs?
No. Bucephalandra Biblis 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 Bucephalandra Biblis?
Bucephalandra Biblis propagates by rhizome division and side shoots. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and tie it down on its own.
How tall does Bucephalandra Biblis grow?
Bucephalandra Biblis grows to about 3.1 in (8 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.
Low lightEpiphyte3.9 in (10 cm)
Low lightEpiphyte2.4 in (6 cm)
Low lightEpiphyte2.4 in (6 cm)