staurogyne repens

Staurogyne Repens Token

• Difficulty: Media
• Family: Acanthaceae
• Gender: staurogyne
• Origin: South America
• Lighting: High
• Temperature: 20nd - 30th
• Increase: Fast
• PH: 5.0 – 7.0
• Hardness: 0 – 30
• Co2: Optional

Staurogyne Repens Characteristics

This plant was known until now as Staurogyne spec. Or Staurogyne sp. "Rio Cristalino". However, in 2010, Dr. Dieter C. Wasshausen identified herbarized flowering plants by Christel Kasselmann as Staurogyne repens (Nees) Kuntze.

The plant population of this species originates from Río Cristalino in the Brazilian federal state of Mato Grosso. The plant was found growing in and among rocks on the riverbank that have rapid currents, usually above water level, and in full sun. In 2008 Staurogyne Repens was introduced as a new aquarium plant.

Staurogyne Repens has proven to be an excellent, moderately demanding and highly versatile aquarium plant, shortly after its introduction forms rugs from small dense shrubs and has become a frequently used plant in Aquascaping. It is relatively slow growing.

The stems of the emerged form of S. repens are reddish brown. Those of the submerged form are mainly green and have a few hairs. The shoots can grow in a creeping or upright habit, and are strongly branched. The alternate leaves closely resemble those of Hygrophila polysperma.

Its emerged form is medium green, its submerged form light green to yellowish. Leaf shape can vary greatly on a single plant: ovate, oval, or lanceolate. The leaves can grow to a length of up to 4,5 cm and a width of just over 1 cm.

Fairly strong light, the addition of CO2 and soft to medium hard water are recommended, as well as temperatures between 20 and 30°C and a nutrient-rich substrate, where the plant can develop a dense root system. In low light the stems form longer internodes and develop a fairly upright growth habit.

Emerged culture is fairly easy on a moist substrate, in bright light, and in warm temperatures, S. Repens soon forms flowers with densely hirsute bracts and white flowers.

Staurogyne Repens can be molded by pruning well, its compact growth and solid branching stems at the base make it look like an extended shrub.
Newly planted shoots grow primarily carpet-like at first, however they can also form vertical stems, especially if the cluster becomes denser over time. If you want your Staurogyne to continue to grow low and like a carpet, cut these longer stems selectively. This method also encourages branching. It is also possible to trim the entire group if it has grown more than desired. The plant will shed many side shoots from the stem stumps with no remaining leaves.

If you want it to form a taller, denser bush, you can let the stems grow upright. This aquarium plant can be pruned as desired.

S. Repens covers the ground with relatively large light green leaves, or forms low-growing broad bushes in the foreground and mid-plane, is a good plant to accompany other low-growing plants that contrast in texture and color.

It shows its full Aquascaping potential when combined with the corresponding hardscaoe, such as in Iwagumi style aquariums. It is ideal for closing gaps between large rocks with a cover of green plants, or to form a bush supported by rocks or wood. S. repens literally molds itself into cracks in rock formations or crawls down from higher places. Its suitability is possible because this is exactly its natural growth form on rocks on the banks of Brazilian rivers.