Cryptocoryne nurii

Also known as Cryptocoryne nurii Furtado, Cryptocoryne nurii var. raubensis, Rosen Maiden, Rose Maiden, Crypt nurii

FreshwaterRosetteRunners

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Growth rate: Medium
Placement: Midground
Type: Rosette
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 5.5–7.5
Hardness: 2–12 dGH
Max height: 7.9 in (20 cm)
Spread: 4.7 in (12 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Origin: Peninsular Malaysia
Family: Araceae

Overview

A patterned collector crypt. The var. raubensis and 'Rosen Maiden' plants in trade are easy and take harder, near-neutral water, while true var. nurii from peat swamps is more demanding and wants soft acidic conditions. Give it a rich substrate, moderate light to develop the vein pattern, and stable parameters. It spreads by runners once settled. CO2 is optional but improves color and pace.

In the wild

Native to Peninsular Malaysia. The type variety (var. nurii) grows in soft, acidic, low-lime waters such as peat swamp forests, while var. raubensis comes from the Raub district of Pahang in shallow rivers over limestone bedrock with harder water. Found both emersed on shaded banks and submersed.

Good to know

Described by Caetano Xavier Furtado, first collected in Malaysia around 1970. It sits in the nurii group and is prized for patterned submerged leaves showing pale pink to whitish veins and dark transverse bars over an olive to reddish-brown ground. The 'Rosen Maiden' cultivar of var. raubensis has intensified pink venation.

Did you know

The two varieties look similar but live in opposite water chemistry: the soft acidic peat-swamp type is fussy, while the limestone-stream var. raubensis 'Rosen Maiden' is one of the toughest patterned crypts you can buy, so the name on the label really matters.