Ludwigia sp. "Marilia" - 1 Bunch

This Ludwigia comes from the surroundings of the city of Marilia in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. It has not yet been determined to species and is rare in the trade. This very fast-growing plant forms shoots over 50 cm long, which have alternate arrangement of leaves. The roundish-elliptical submerged leaves are stalked about 5 mm long and have leaf blades about 3 cm long and 2 cm wide. Depending on the light intensity, the leaves are light green, light orange to reddish, especially at the shoot tips. The soft submerged stem is light green, moderately branched and about 2 mm thick. The internodes are about 1.5 to 2.5 cm long. The shoots quickly reach the water surface and then continue to grow in a flooding manner. The leaves then develop as medium green coloured floating leaves.

Ludwigia sp. "Marilia" grows upright under water. Its fast growth makes frequent pruning necessary if it is to remain under water. Otherwise it can be used as a floating leaf plant. After pruning, the plant forms quite a few side shoots. This Ludwigia is not very demanding, but medium to strong lighting and a good supply of nutrients are very conducive to its growth. Propagation is done by head cuttings and partial cuttings.

This rare South American Ludwigia with its rounded leaves in fresh green to light reddish tones is a striking feature in the aquarium. With its fast growth, it is best recommended as a group about 30 - 50 cm high for the background of larger aquariums. In open tanks, their flooding shoots with rounded floating leaves make a pretty sight. Ludwigia sp. "Marilia" might be a suitable plant for South American biotope tanks, where it quickly forms a floating thicket on the water surface.