Echinodorus aflame

Description 'Aflame' is an especially decorative red, low growing Echinodorus cultivar that entered the trade around 2005. It looks like a small variant of Echinodorus 'Dschungelstar' No. 16 and fits well in smaller aquariums. Its elongate-elliptic underwater leaves show impressing, deeply dark red colour tones. They are somewhat wavy, the leaf margins are slightly curved downwards. As most sword plants, this cultivar is mostly delivered by the nurseries in its terrestrial (emersed) form, with rather inconspicuous, longer stalked, often green leaves. Once planted in the aquarium, its submerged leaves will appear, showing the full splendour of this plant. As well as virtually all Echinodorus, 'Aflame' grows best with abundant macro- and micronutrient supply via the substrate. Rather strong lighting is recommendable for this cultivar, also enhancing its intense red coloration. The water parameters are of subordinate importance, however CO 2  supply promotes the growth. As single plant or small, loose group, Echinodorus 'Aflame' provides a strong colour accent in the midground and contrasts with light green plants. It can also be used as solitary plant in the background of small tanks.