Staurogyne Bihar

Staurogyne sp. 'Bihar'

Also known as Staurogyne sp. Bihar, Hygrophila sp. 'Bihar'

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Staurogyne Bihar (Staurogyne sp. 'Bihar') — Buce Plant · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Temperature: 72–82°F; 22–28°C
Max height: 5.9 in; 15 cm

Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Midground
Type: Stem
pH: 5.0–7.5
Hardness: 2–12 dGH
Spread: 3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Family: Acanthaceae
Origin: Bihar, northeastern India (probable)

Overview

Staurogyne Bihar is a midground stem plant with moderate demands and a medium difficulty rating. It stays smaller and bushier than most Hygrophila, so it works where Hygrophila pinnatifida would get too large.

Did you know

Staurogyne Bihar spent its first years in the hobby filed under the wrong genus, Hygrophila. Only when cultivated plants flowered emersed did the floral structure show it to be a Staurogyne.

Caring for Staurogyne Bihar

Plant Staurogyne Bihar as a small group of stems in a nutrient-rich substrate. It feeds through both roots and leaves, so add a liquid fertilizer as well.

Give it medium to high light. CO2 is optional, but it makes the difference between a dull, sparse plant and a dense, colored one. Keep the water at 72 to 82°F (22 to 28°C).

Staurogyne Bihar grows fast once settled, so trim it regularly, and it branches after each cut. Replant the tops or cut off rooted side growth to spread it.

Good to know

Staurogyne Bihar is a member of the Acanthaceae, the same family as Hygrophila and Staurogyne repens. It still lacks a species-level identification. Its submersed leaves are partly lobed and highly variable, from green to reddish brown. They look close enough to Hygrophila pinnatifida that the two are regularly confused.

In the wild

Staurogyne Bihar is attributed to the state of Bihar in northeastern India, though collection details were never published. Like its relatives it is amphibious, growing both submersed and emersed on wet ground.

Common questions

Does Staurogyne Bihar need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Strip the leaves from the lower part of each stem, then push the stems into the substrate one at a time, a little apart.

Does Staurogyne Bihar need CO2?

No, but it helps. Staurogyne Bihar can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does Staurogyne Bihar need?

Staurogyne Bihar wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does Staurogyne Bihar need root tabs?

They help. Staurogyne Bihar takes nutrients through both its roots and its leaves. Root tabs near its roots and a liquid fertilizer cover both.

How do you propagate Staurogyne Bihar?

Staurogyne Bihar propagates by cuttings and side shoots. Cut off the top of a stem and replant it, and the stump left behind grows new shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.