Iguazu region on the Brazil and Argentina border, collected 2009; the species is from southeastern Brazil (Paraná and Santa Catarina)
Overview
Iguazu sword is a compact midground sword, far smaller than an Amazon sword. It is a plant of medium difficulty.
Did you know
Iguazu sword adds roughly one new leaf every 10 to 14 days, so a large, full crown takes many months to build. Its leaves are thick and stiff, almost plastic to the touch.
Caring for Iguazu sword
Plant Iguazu sword in aqua soil or another rich substrate, and add root tabs near the crown. It also takes food from the water, so a liquid fertilizer helps.
It needs only medium light, though CO2 helps its slow growth along. It handles cooler water than most swords, and 64 to 79°F (18 to 26°C) suits it. Keep conditions stable, since sudden swings can make leaves melt.
The rosette stays around 20 cm and creeps slowly across the substrate as the rhizome lengthens. Cut a long rhizome into pieces, or split off side shoots, to propagate it. Plantlets can also be detached once they have a few roots.
Good to know
Iguazu sword is a form of Echinodorus opacus, a sword in the family Alismataceae that Karel Rataj described in 1970. The species is probably a natural hybrid from the Echinodorus grandiflorus group. The Kew and GBIF plant databases now file it under Echinodorus portoalegrensis, and neither treats that name as settled. Its oval leaves are dark green with paler veins, and strong light can add a bronze tint. Apart sword, a hybrid of Echinodorus portoalegrensis, looks much the same and is easier to grow.
In the wild
Iguazu sword was collected in the wild in 2009, near Iguazu Falls on the Brazil and Argentina border. The species grows in fast-flowing rivers of subtropical southeastern Brazil, in Paraná and Santa Catarina, where winters are cool. ADA sells the plant as a tissue culture under the name Iguazu 2009.
Common questions
Does Iguazu sword need to be planted in the substrate?
Yes. Bury the roots and leave the crown, where the leaves join, just above the substrate.
Does Iguazu sword need CO2?
No, but it helps. Iguazu sword can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.
How much light does Iguazu sword need?
Iguazu sword wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.
Does Iguazu sword need root tabs?
They help. Iguazu sword takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.
How do you propagate Iguazu sword?
Iguazu sword propagates by plantlets, rhizome division and side shoots. Small plantlets form on the plant and can be detached once they have a few roots. Cut the rhizome into pieces with several leaves each, then tie or plant each piece.
How tall does Iguazu sword grow?
Iguazu sword grows to about 7.9 in (20 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.
Low lightMidground7.9 in (20 cm)
Medium lightBackground19.7 in (50 cm)
High lightBackground19.7 in (50 cm)
Medium lightBackground19.7 in (50 cm)