Anubias gracilis

About This Species

Basic Description

The Graceful Anubias is an excellent choice for beginners due to its incredibly hardy nature. Its distinct, triangle-shaped leaves on long stems make it a beautiful background plant. It doesn't need to be planted in substrate; instead, attach its root-like rhizome to rocks or driftwood.

Detailed Description

Anubias gracilis, also known as Slender Anubias, is a West African native prized for its unique foliage. Its arrowhead-shaped leaves sit atop long, slender petioles, creating an elegant look. This is an epiphytic plant, meaning it thrives when its rhizome is attached to hardscape, as burying it causes rot. Its slow growth and minimal demands for CO2 or intense lighting make it a low-maintenance addition that tolerates a wide range of water conditions, making it a stalwart in many aquascapes.

Scientific Description

Anubias gracilis is a robust species within the Araceae family, native to West African riverbanks. Its morphology is distinguished by hastate or sagittate leaf blades on elongated petioles, suiting an emergent or semi-aquatic growth habit. As an epiphyte, its rhizome must remain unburied to prevent anoxic decay in substrate. Its slow metabolism is evidenced by a low photosynthetic rate and minimal nutrient absorption, correlating with its low demands. The species' IUCN status as 'Least Concern' (LC) indicates a stable wild population and it displays considerable phenotypic plasticity in response to varying water chemistry.