Photo: Ito Y, Barfod A, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Orchid lily
Barclaya longifolia Wall.
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Height in the aquarium
medium to high
Light
low
CO₂ needs
24–28 °C
Ideal temperature
Water parameters
Understand these values- Position
- background, midground
- Propagation
- seeds, separating offshoots
- Grows emersed
- no
In the wild
Overview
Although related to water lilies, Barclaya longifolia produces no floating leaves. Its long, wavy leaves may be green or reddish; the green form keeps a red underside. A young rosette recalls a Cryptocoryne, then gradually takes up the space of a large solitary plant.
- Scientific name
- Barclaya longifolia Wall.
- Classification
- Nymphaeales › Nymphaeaceae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Southeast Asia
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
- Native countries
- Introduced by people
No introduction reported outside its native range.
Countries: Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). Dots: GBIF observations in the native countries.
In the aquarium
Growing in the aquarium
Give it warm water and enough light. Feeding the roots can boost its size; a small pot helps contain its growth. Its tender leaves are easily damaged. It may lose all its foliage during a rest period and then sprout again: do not throw the rhizome away as soon as the leaves disappear.
Sources:Flowgrow GBIF POWO (Kew) · Base map: Natural Earth