Ludwigia senegalensis
Ludwigia senegalensis
Also known as Ludwigia sp. 'Guinea', Ludwigia 'Guinea', Senegal ludwigia, Guinea ludwigia
Care at a glance
- Light
- High light
- CO2
- CO₂ required
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Placement
- Midground
- Type
- Stem
- Temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
- pH
- 5.0–7.5
- Hardness
- 0–8 dGH
- Max height
- 11.8 in (30 cm)
- Spread
- 2.4 in (6 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Root + water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Origin
- Tropical West Africa (cultivated stock from Guinea)
- Family
- Onagraceae
Overview
A demanding collector stem plant that needs high light, CO2 and soft water to hold its color and grow compactly. It responds strongly to root feeding, so nutrient-rich substrate (some hobbyists use a touch of ammonia in the root zone) grows the fattest leaves. Dose iron and trace elements heavily, often double a normal regimen, for full red coverage. Low light turns it green and leggy.
In the wild
Widespread across tropical Africa, with the plant in the trade sourced from Guinea in West Africa. It grows in shallow, soft, warm freshwater. It is a fairly recent introduction to the aquarium hobby and still uncommon because few farms grow it.
Good to know
A member of the Onagraceae, the evening primrose family. It entered the hobby labeled as Ludwigia sp. 'Guinea' before being identified as Ludwigia senegalensis. Its leaves show a striking pattern of pale central veins against a brick-red to green blade, a venation contrast unusual among aquarium Ludwigia.
Did you know
Did you know the striking white central vein that makes this plant so recognizable only shows clearly under high light with strong iron dosing, and the same stem grown in low light will look like an ordinary green Ludwigia.
Where to buy
Some links may not be the exact species or variety.
- Glass Aqua Aquascaping plants and planted tank supplies
- Buce Plant Aquatic plants and aquascaping supplies
- Aquarium Plants Factory Aquatic plants shipped from a California greenhouse
…or ask your local fish store.
Appears in
High-light plants · Midground plants · Stem plants · Advanced plants
Growing Ludwigia senegalensis?
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