Orchid Lily
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Red form of an unusual aquarium plant. Aqua Spot World
[edit] Overview
The Orchid Lily is an unusual plant indeed. The red form is more common than the green, and both have a reddish hue on the underside of their wavy-margined leaves. The plant grows in a rosette from a large corm that stores nutrients for growth.
Family: Nymphaeaceae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: Orchid Lily is found in soft, acidic moving waters in areas of both sun and shade.
Maximum height: 80 cm (31 in)
Lighting: Medium to bright lighting.
Placement: Background or as specimen plant
Water: Freshwater 25 °C (298 K, 77 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Overview
The Orchid Lily is found in red and green forms. When settled into the aquarium this is a majestic plant that will reward all keeping efforts.
[edit] Feeding
Use a nutrient-rich substrate with additional fertilizer in the water column. Co2 is helpful but not critical.
[edit] Special Care
Add clay to the gravel substrate. Avoid moving the Orchid Lily as it tends to suffer from transplant shock, especially if it is moved during the resting period. After recovery from transplanting, however, it grows very well. Potting will delay rampant growth.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
New plants grow from seeds. If the corm produces more than one plant, it may be divided.
[edit] Notes
New leaf growth is slowed during flowering, so removal of the flower buds maintains the appearance of this showpiece plant. This plant has a relatively large footprint at maturity, so be prepared to afford it plenty of room. The red form requires more light than the green, but they are both in the moderate-light category. The green form is not as large as the red form and grows more slowly.
| Common name | Orchid Lily + |
| Family | Nymphaeaceae + |
| Genus | Barclaya + |
| Image credit | ASW + |
| Lighting | Medium to bright lighting. + |
| Maximum height | 31 in + |
| Native range | Southeast Asia +, and New Guinea + |
| Placement | Background or as specimen plant + |
| Reference | 101 Best Aquarium Plants + |
| Specific name | longifolia + |
| Text credit | MES + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 298 K (25 °C, 77 °F) + |
| Water type | Freshwater + |