Alternanthera cardinalis

About This Species

Basic Description

The Cardinal Plant is a popular aquarium choice known for its vibrant reddish to purple leaves, which make it a beautiful midground accent. It's moderately easy to care for, thriving in a stable freshwater environment with good lighting and some added CO2. To maintain its best color, ensure it receives enough light. It grows by rooting in the substrate, like sand or gravel, and can add a significant vertical dimension to your aquascape, creating a striking focal point.

Detailed Description

Alternanthera reineckii 'Cardinalis' is a stem plant prized for the intense magenta on the undersides of its leaves. Achieving this deep coloration is directly linked to an enriched environment; high lighting intensity coupled with medium CO2 injection is crucial. Without these, the plant may revert to a duller, greener hue. It's a moderate grower that absorbs a fair amount of nutrients from the water column, helping to balance the aquarium's bioload. Propagation is straightforward: simply trim the top portions of the stems and replant them into the nutrient-rich substrate, where they will quickly develop new roots.

Scientific Description

A cultivar of Alternanthera reineckii, the 'Cardinalis' variant is a freshwater Tracheophyte from the Amaranthaceae family, indigenous to South American aquatic systems. Its phenotype, particularly the expression of anthocyanins responsible for its scarlet pigmentation, is highly dependent on specific environmental triggers. Optimal conditions include a warm, soft to moderately hard freshwater environment with low water flow. Photosynthetic activity and nutrient uptake are moderate, requiring a nutrient-rich substrate and supplementary CO2 for robust growth and color maintenance. It serves as a moderate biological filter, contributing to waste processing and nutrient cycling within a closed aquatic ecosystem.