Aponogeton crispus (Curly Aponogeton)

Family Aponogetonaceae. Native to the island of Sri Lanka and southern India, where it inhabits standing and slow‑flowing waters. The plant is noted for its high ornamental value. As it matures, the green leaves of the plant take on a darker shade.

Aponogeton crispus (Curly Aponogeton) is a variable aquatic plant. The tuber reaches up to 5 cm in size. The aerial leaf blade with a petiole up to 10 cm, strap‑shaped, with a wavy or corrugated, rarely flat margin, up to 50 cm long and 4.5 cm wide, ranging from light to dark green or reddish in color. The submerged leaf up to 20 cm long and 5 cm wide. Flower stalk up to 75 cm long, thickened beneath the inflorescence. The cover leaf up to 2.5 cm long, deciduous. The inflorescence usually with a single spike up to 13 cm long with a whorled arrangement of flowers; two perianth segments white, pink or light violet, six stamens, three carpels, each with two ovules. Fruit up to 18×7 mm, seeds up to 12×5 mm, seed coat ordinary (van Bruggen 1985, 1990).

In recent years a large number of different hybrids of this plant have appeared, exhibiting a wide variety of leaf colors and patterns. Distinguishing forms include: curly aponogeton green; curly aponogeton red; purple aponogeton; blue aponogeton; dark‑green aponogeton; green aponogeton with double ruffle (lateral line wavy, with a broad wave and a fine corrugation); Aponogeton lucens (bright green).

The plant has high ornamental qualities and is deservedly popular with aquarists. It is suitable for keeping in aquariums of any volume. Aponogeton is usually placed in the middle ground. It can grow in the aquarium year‑round, with growth slowing somewhat in spring and autumn.

The plant should be kept in a tropical aquarium at a temperature not lower than 24–25 °C. During periods of slowed growth the temperature can be lowered to 18–20 °C, but this is not mandatory; you can maintain a higher water temperature if required by species kept alongside the aponogeton. Water should be soft, with total hardness not more than 6–8° and neutral reaction (pH 6.5–7.2). It is advisable to periodically replace 1/5–1/4 of the water volume. Growth of aponogeton deteriorates in old water.

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