''Cryptocoryne usteriana'' is a species of aquatic
herb
In general use, herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables and other plants consumed for macronutrients, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal ...
in the family
Araceae endemic to the
Philippines.
It was named after the German botanist Alfred Usteri who discovered the plant in the island-province of
Guimaras in 1902. The species can also be found in the mainland
Panay
Panay is the sixth-largest and fourth-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total land area of and has a total population of 4,542,926 as of 2020 census. Panay comprises 4.4 percent of the entire population of the country. The City o ...
, in tributaries of lowland
bedrock river
A bedrock river is a river that has little to no alluvium mantling the bedrock over which it flows. However, most bedrock rivers are not pure forms; they are a combination of a bedrock channel and an alluvial channel. The way one can distinguish b ...
with not too rapidly flowing water and seasonal flood pools. During the summer, its natural habitat dries up and plants undergo
complete meltdown. The following monsoon rain and inundation triggers the remaining rootstock or rhizome to regrow quickly and send blooms underwater. Due to
overcollection for the
aquarium trade, the local government categorized it as
threatened species.
References
External links
Cryptocoryne usteriana - Tropica Aquarium Plants
usteriana
Aquatic plants
{{Araceae-stub