Floscopa cf. glomerata

This plant from the Dayflower family (Commelinaceae) was found in the Netherlands in a plant shipment from Cameroon. Up to now, it is apparently virtually unknown in the aquarium hobby. It is probably Floscopa glomerata, an amphibious species of wet places such as riversides and swamps that is widely distributed in tropical Africa. Until our plant is reliably determined, we write the name with a "cf.". There are several further African Floscopa species that likewise grow in wetlands.

Structure of the submerged leaves

Floscopa cf. glomerata is able to grow above and under water. In contrast to Floscopa cf. scandens, it does not grow strictly upright. The older stem parts lay down, rooting at the nodes, while the shoot tips grow ascending. Side shoots appear on the nodes. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate, variably shaped, mostly narrower in their submerged form, slightly wavy and horizontal to arching. They get about 12 to 14 cm long and 1.5 cm wide. The stems are brownish, the leaves medium to - especially in the submerged form - light green, partly also with brownish tones. The growth is slowly to moderately fast.

Young submerged leaf - the underside is densely covered with stomata, creating a silvery-white colour impression.

We recommend for Floscopa cf. glomerata a good macro- and micronutrient supply, also via the substrate, and CO₂ addition. Lack of both may lead to quite short-lived leaves. Moderate lighting is sufficient. Its temperature optimum is still unknown to us, however usual indoor temperatures above 20 °C make sense as the plant comes from the tropical zone. As well as other stem plants, it can be propagated by cuttings of the shoot tips and side shoots. The emersed cultivation succeeds in a moist to wet substrate; we recommend a higher humidity of about 60 %.

With its spreading, loose growth, Floscopa cf. glomerata fits well as a bush in the aquarium midground. It does not grow fast towards the water surface and mostly gets about 20 cm tall. With its narrow, long leaves, it has a more delicate appearance than Floscopa cf. scandens. The plant appears especially interesting for natural setups that imitate a waterside habitat and where the plant is also allowed to grow emersed. Also making the plant bloom would be worth a try. Conspicuous inflorescences with numerous small purple flowers are known from the species Floscopa glomerata.