Echinodorus palaefolius (Import)

Echinodorus palifolius, also known as Mexican sword plant is an emerged aquatic plant in the Alismataceae. It has a rather odd, discontinuous range, native to Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, and Mexico. It has been introduced in many countries including Bangladesh and India.
These are large plants with rhizomes. The leaves of Echinodorus Palaefolius var. Latifolius are of a rosette, leaf with constantly increasing submerged petioles, initially elliptical they are up to 30 cm long, light green, ovate in shape, up to 23 cm wide. They present an inflorescence on the water.
In the aquarium it tends to grow out of the water. This can be prevented by removing the long leaves just before they reach the water surface. The next leaves will then become shorter and the plant will remain under water. In open aquariums the plant can be allowed to grow out of the water, but the leaf margins often dry out if air humidity is low.

Plant info
Type: Rosulate
Place of origin: South America
Maximum height: 20-40 cm, and a 20-40 cm wide roset
Growth rate: Medium
Lighting: The species is quite fussy about light conditions and prefers sufficiently bright light (0.5 W / L). A light duration of 8 to 10 hours is recommended.
CO2: Low
Demands: It is considered a moderately easy to handle species.
Position range: Lower, middle and upper part of the pond
Substrate: Small granulated gravel or sand
Propagation: Echinodorus Palaefolius var. Latifolius is often vegetatively propagated. Young plants are also found on the lateral shoots, these daughter plants can be separated and replanted after the appearance of the first 4-5 leaves, starting to form new leaves only after a long pause.
Temperature range: 22-28 ° C.
pH: 5.5 – 8.0, slightly acidic and moderately alkaline
Hardness: 6-13 gH, soft to moderately hard waters