Rotala macrandra Narrow Leaf

Rotala macrandra 'Narrow Leaf'

One of 6 forms of Rotala macrandra · See all forms →

Also known as Rotala Magenta, Rotala macrandra Magenta, Rotala macrandra Florida

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Forms · Rotala macrandra

See all 6 →

Care at a glance

Light: High light
CO2: CO₂ required
Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Background
Type: Stem
Temperature: 72–82°F (22–28°C)
pH: 5.5–7.0
Hardness: 1–8 dGH
Max height: 15.7 in (40 cm)
Spread: 2 in (5 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Difficult
Origin: Aquarium mutation of Rotala macrandra, native to southern India
Family: Lythraceae

Overview

This is a plant for dialled-in high-tech tanks: strong light, injected CO2, soft water and consistent fertilisation, with lean nitrate helping the reds. It is somewhat more forgiving than round-leaf macrandra but still sheds leaves after big swings, cold water changes or a lapse in CO2. Plant a group in the mid or background and trim the tops back in to build a bush. The leaves are among the most fragile in the hobby, so cut with sharp scissors and move the plant as little as possible.

In the wild

Narrow Leaf is a nursery mutation, not a wild population, and has been distributed largely from Florida growers. Its parent Rotala macrandra grows in wetlands, pond margins and slow streams in southern India, submersed or emersed depending on the season. The narrow-leaved form exists only in cultivation.

Good to know

Rotala macrandra, family Lythraceae, is the giant red rotala of the hobby; the species epithet means large-stamened. Narrow Leaf is a mutation with lanceolate rather than rounded leaves, circulated in the US trade as Rotala 'Magenta' and Rotala macrandra 'Florida'. It remains the same species and keeps macrandra's soft-water, high-energy character.

Did you know

The narrow-leaf form appeared as a mutation in nursery stock and spread through the trade out of Florida, which is why American shops sell the same plant as 'Magenta' and 'Florida' while European databases file both under Rotala macrandra 'Narrow Leaf'.