''Cryptocoryne affinis'' is a plant

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

belonging to the

Araceae The Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe (or leaf-like bract). Also ...

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

Cryptocoryne ''Cryptocoryne'' is a genus of aquatic plants from the family Araceae. The genus is naturally distributed in tropical regions of India, Southeast Asia and New Guinea. The typical habitats of ''Cryptocoryne'' are mostly streams and rivers with n ...

''.

Distribution

SW Malay Peninsula (Pahang), sometimes occurs in part of Perak state.

Description

Long lanceolate leaves 6-12 inches (15–30 cm) long with an attractive bluish-green upper surface, a light green midrib and side nerves. The underside of the leaves is a deep reddish purple. The leaf stems are short in proportion to the leaf blade. Several forms are sold in the

aquarium An aquarium (plural: ''aquariums'' or ''aquaria'') is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aq ...

trade differing in colour and serration of the leaf edge. Variable dependent on how it is grown and light levels. Leaves dark green above and purple to violet beneath. Flowers may be produced even when grown completely submersed. The

inflorescence An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed o ...

reaches about 10 inches (25 cm) with the

spathe In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, especially one associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves. They may be smaller, larger, or of ...

elongated into a purple-red, spirally-coiled blade.

Cultivation

Considered easy to cultivate. Reluctant to flower even in emersed culture. The leaves are darker in shady conditions and it will grow in moderate light in the aquarium. Doesn't seem to be fussy as to water conditions and is fine in normal tropical aquarium temperatures : 72-79F (22-26C). One of the hardiest of all the Cryptocoryne's in cultivation. Subject to 'Crypt melt' (see genus page). Sensitive to calcium and

hard water Hard water is water that has high mineral content (in contrast with "soft water"). Hard water is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum, which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbo ...

. Propagates well by runners. Introduced to Europe by Herman Haertel, a German importer.Roe, Colin D., A Manual of Aquarium Plants, Shirley Aquatics (1967)

References

External links

Crypts pages illustrations ''C. affinis'' + literature

Common Crypt
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4241194 affinis Aquatic plants Taxa named by N. E. Brown