Ammania Senegalese (Ammannia senegalensis).

The height of the plant can be from twenty to sixty centimeters. A characteristic feature of this heat-loving plant is its ability to lead an above-water, underwater and partially submerged existence. The root system of Ammania Senegalese is well developed. The stem is fleshy and erect. The leaves are opposite, entire, sessile, arranged crosswise. The leaf blades growing under water are lanceolate in shape and reach a length of seven to twelve centimeters, with a width of 0.7 - 1.8 centimeters. The emergent leaves are very elegant, two to six centimeters long, and width from one to 1.8 centimeters. The shape of the emergent leaf blade is linear or obovate. Color: olive green. The height of the emergent plant is about forty centimeters.

Under favorable conditions, above-water and semi-submerged forms of Ammania bloom. The inflorescence is umbellate, simple, its main axis ends in an apical flower. If two shoots with the same flowers are formed under the apical flower of the main axis, then such an inflorescence is a simple di-chasia; if the branching of the inflorescence continues further, then we are talking about a complex di-chaz (from the Greek word dichazo - divide in two), and with further branching, the di-hasia transforms into a mono-chasia, the site emphasizes. In such inflorescences the false whorls are shortened. The inflorescence of Ammannia senegalensis is a di-hasia, numbering three or seven flowers with short pedicels; from the axils of two leaves located under the flower, two lateral branches develop, also ending in flowers.

You can keep Ammania Senegalese either in a small aquarium or in a container with a volume of one hundred to two hundred liters. Ammannia senegalensis also does well in a paludarium and in a humid greenhouse in a warm, tropical climate. The water temperature in the aquarium can vary from twenty-two to thirty degrees Celsius; permissible hardness - from two to thirteen degrees; pH level is from six to seven. Lighting for the plant should be intense; LB type fluorescent lamps with a power of 0.7-0.8 W/l should be used as light sources. The duration of daylight for this species should be from eight to ten hours. This plant requires careful care, so it is quite rare in amateur aquariums.

The soil should be nutritious and silted. Coarse river sand and gravel can be used as a substrate. This heat-loving plant requires liquid mineral fertilizers during active growth and flowering. To improve the decorative qualities of the plant in the aquarium, it is necessary to install a carbon dioxide generator and a filter. In addition, it is recommended to regularly, at least once a week, perform a partial (twenty-five percent) water change in the aquarium. This plant has a strong rhizome, so it is used for decorating aquaterrariums, however, it should be protected from damage by large amphibians. And, in the case of ammania transplantation, it will take some time to acclimatize the plant.

Ammania Senegalese reproduces vegetatively. To do this, the stem of the plant is cut into pieces and the resulting cuttings are planted in the ground, deepening the lower whorls of leaves. Cuttings taken from side shoots take root best. Generative propagation using seeds is a painstaking and quite labor-intensive task, but this method of plant cultivation is the most effective. Daughter shoots are planted in the center of the aquarium, along the side walls and in the background. The growth rate of Ammannia senegalensis is high, but at low water temperatures, leaf loss and plant degradation are possible. The rate of growth and development of Ammania Senegalese is also influenced by the duration and intensity of lighting and the chemical parameters of the water.

Ammania senegalese is most often found in nature in the vast expanses of the African continent: in Abyssinia, Lower Egypt, from Senegal to South Africa and in a number of territories in distant East Africa. As for the living conditions of this aquatic beauty, they can be absolutely anything - a humid or aquatic environment, flooded areas, rice fields and even salty soils are equally suitable for Ammania Senegalese. This amazing plant will make a great addition to almost any aquarium. Ammania Senegalese looks best in the middle ground.

Getting to know the plant

The height of the above-water stems of Ammania Senegalese often reaches forty centimeters. The stems of this aquatic resident are fleshy and bare, and the root system is not particularly well developed. The length of the leaf blades can be up to six centimeters, and their width is about one and a half centimeters. Due to the fact that the planes of the leaves are quite convex, their edges curl down slightly. And the shape of the leaves can be either lanceolate or elliptical.

The inflorescences of Ammania Senegalese are not very dense and are formed by one or several flowers, up to a maximum of five. Purple flowers form in the nodules of emergent shoots. All of them are endowed with funny sessile stigmas, and they have four petals and stamens.

A distinctive feature of Ammania Senegalese is that it is characterized by both horizontal and vertical growth. That is, choosing this plant to match the water level in the aquarium will not be particularly difficult. And as the water level rises, Ammania senegalese begins to slowly grow in length.

How to grow

Ammania Senegalese is very whimsical, capricious and very light-loving to its habitat. Shady places are absolutely not suitable for its development. This beauty can be grown in small aquariums. By the way, growing it, with all its whimsicality, will not be particularly difficult - Ammania Senegalese can grow well both in open aquariums and when completely immersed in water. If you create very favorable conditions for this beauty, then it will develop at incredible speed.

It is recommended to grow Ammania Senegalese in soil rich in all kinds of nutrients (sand and gravel are suitable), in fairly soft water, and also in very intense lighting, depending on which the color of the leaves of this beauty changes. In one light they will be light yellow with a slight pinkish tint, and in another they will be pink. And sometimes the leaves turn pale red or pale green. The duration of daylight hours for Ammania Senegalese should be from eight to ten hours. The most optimal temperature regime for its full development is in the range from 22 to 28 degrees. But this aquatic resident will acquire a decorative appearance only if you grow a whole group of underwater specimens.

Various nutrients should be periodically added to the soil in relatively small quantities, since Ammania Senegalese receives its main nutrition mainly from the soil.

If suddenly this luxurious plant begins to grow poorly, it is advisable to try replanting it in another place, after adding a small amount of clay under its roots. Peat is also suitable instead of clay.

The most effective propagation of Ammania Senegalese will be with the help of side shoots. In addition to cuttings, seed propagation of this aquatic inhabitant is also possible. As a rule, specimens growing on the surface are propagated using this method. The spread of this aquatic beauty should be limited periodically.

Sometimes Ammania Senegalese is compared with Ammania graceica. This is due to the fact that they really have quite a few distinctive features, and they are very similar in appearance. Moreover, the methods of their reproduction and conditions of detention are also almost identical. However, despite this, they are still different plants.

Ammania Senegalese (lat. Ammannia senegalensis)- an incredibly beautiful aquatic plant from the Derbennikov family.

Description

Ammania senegalese is an aquatic plant, the height of its above-water stems can reach forty centimeters. Its bare stems are extremely fleshy, and the root system is not very well developed. The length of the leaf blades often reaches six centimeters, and the width – up to one and a half. And since the planes of the leaves are quite convex, their edges are slightly curled downwards. As for their shape, it can be either lanceolate or elliptical.

Not too dense inflorescences of Ammania Senegalese are formed by either one or several flowers, but more than five flowers are usually not found in one inflorescence. All flowers are formed in the nodules of above-water shoots, are distinguished by a pleasant purple color and are endowed with funny sessile stigmas. As for the petals and stamens, they have four each.

An important distinguishing feature of this aquatic beauty is that it can be characterized not only by vertical, but also by horizontal growth. Thus, matching it to the water level in the aquarium will not be difficult. However, as the water level rises, Ammania senegalese will slowly begin to grow in length.

Where does it grow

In nature, Ammania Senegalese can most often be found in the vast expanses of the colorful African continent: in Abyssinia or Lower Egypt, as well as in a number of territories in East Africa and in the territory from Senegal to South Africa. This aquatic beauty grows equally well in wet or aquatic environments, as well as in flooded areas, rice fields and even salty soils.

Usage

Ammania senegalese is widely used for placement in aquariums - it looks especially good in the middle ground.

Growing and care

This aquatic plant is very whimsical to its habitat - Ammania Senegalese is extremely capricious and very light-loving. Shady places are absolutely not suitable for its full development. But in small aquariums it is quite possible to grow Ammania Senegalese. Moreover, it will grow equally well both in open vessels and in a completely submerged state. Under favorable conditions, Ammania Senegalese generally develops at truly incredible speed.

It is recommended to grow this aquatic beauty in soil enriched with all kinds of nutritional compounds (sand and gravel are equally suitable), in fairly soft water and in fairly intense lighting, depending on which the color of the leaves of the beautiful plant will change. In one light they will be light yellow with a delicate and light pinkish tint, and in another they will be deep pink. In some cases, the leaves may turn pale red or pale green. As for the duration of daylight hours for Ammania Senegalese, it should be between eight and ten hours. And the most optimal temperature regime for its proper development is considered to be the range from twenty-two to twenty-eight degrees.

In order for this aquatic inhabitant to acquire a decorative appearance, you will need to grow a whole group of underwater specimens. True, from time to time the spread of Ammania Senegalese should be limited.

Periodically, it is necessary to add all kinds of nutrients to the soil (in rather small quantities) - Ammania Senegalese receives its main nutrition mainly from the soil. And if suddenly it begins to grow poorly, it won’t hurt to try to transplant it to another place, after first adding a small amount of clay under its roots. However, peat is also suitable instead of clay.

As for the propagation of this plant, the most effective propagation will be by lateral shoots. In addition to cuttings, Ammania Senegalese can also be propagated by seeds - this method is usually used for specimens growing on the surface.

Local residents of the tropics consider this marsh grass a weed and do not pay any attention to it. However, a huge number of aquarists and professional aqua designers prefer it - ammania - for decorating artificial underwater landscapes.

The herbaceous plant of the genus Ammannia is widespread on almost all continents of the Earth. These species, of which modern botany numbers about 25, grow in tropical and subtropical latitudes of Asia, Africa, the Americas and even Europe.

Varieties of tropical grasses are densely populated along the banks of rivers and lakes, and are present mainly in wetlands and rice fields.

Aquatic vegetation is well adapted to life in damp places and loves warmth and bright sunlight.

By the way, in areas of developed rice growing, this plant is considered a malicious weed, against which peasants have long declared a merciless war.

Ammania (or ammannia, according to its scientific name) was described and classified a long time ago - back in the early 18th century. The plant was named by the English scientist W. Houston in honor of the German botanist from Leipzig P. Ammann.

A little later, the outstanding Swedish naturalist and classifier Carl Linnaeus consolidated this name, and subsequently the Latin name remained: Ammannia Linnaeus, which means “Linnaeus’ ammannia.”

According to the scientific botanical classification, the plant genus in question belongs to the merlinaceae family of the dicotyledonous class. In specialized literature and aquarium husbandry, both names are used - with one or two letters “n”.

General structure and characteristic features of appearance

Despite the fact that some types of ammania differ significantly from each other in appearance, common characteristics can be identified for all species and subspecies.

The stem of the vegetation is relatively thick and strong, with large leaves extending from it in different directions. There are three main forms of this herb:

• with wide reddish leaves;
• with narrow red-brown leaves;
• with narrow green leaves.

The first two forms have leaves with wavy edges.

The height of vegetation in natural conditions can reach 70–80 cm.

Not all types of Ammania are cultivated in aquariums. This is due both to the difficulties of maintaining some species and to the low decorative qualities of individual representatives of the genus.

However, there are several varieties that are often found in artificial aquatic systems.

Ammania gracilis

Its Latin name is Ammannia gracilis, which translated into Russian means “graceful ammania.” An interesting and beautiful plant native to East Africa has long been used to create colorful aquarium landscapes.

It is very popular due to its leaves, which change their shape depending on where they grow.

For example, on one thick stem, wide, smooth or slightly wavy olive-colored leaves (above the surface of the water) and narrow lanceolate-shaped leaves in the underwater part can grow.

The color of the leaves can vary depending on the nature and intensity - from olive to pink.

The stem is thick, up to 1.2 cm in cross-section, which allows the plant to reach up to 60 cm in height in aquariums.

The substrate is sand or fine gravel. The soil should be rich in iron and other micronutrients. The color of the leaves directly depends on this.

However, the rich purple-olive color of the plant also depends on other factors - light and the presence of CO2 dissolved in water.

The plant requires strong light - at least 0.5 W / liter of aquarium water. In this case, the duration of daylight hours should be 11–12 hours. If the leaves begin to turn black and gradually fall off, then the lighting is weak. In this case, the ornamental grass degrades.

The optimal water temperature for growing this ammania in artificial conditions is from +23 to +28 degrees.

Ammannia gracilis is propagated by cuttings. To do this, just carefully separate the cutting from the trunk and you can immediately plant it in nutritious soil.

Ammania senegalese

This variety (Ammannia senegalensis) is suitable for decorating both large and small aquariums, but is more finicky and requires constant care. It does not tolerate replanting well and degrades when damaged by the inhabitants of the aquarium.

Its general structure is similar to the previous species, growing up to 40 cm in height. The leaves are elongated, small, with a wavy edge. Their color on the front part can vary from green to dark red. The color of the back of the leaves is purple.

Ammannia senegalensis also needs bright light - at least 0.7 W/l with a daylight duration of about 9-10 hours.

Ornamental grass develops well when sandy soil is saturated with micronutrients and a small amount of carbon dioxide is added to the water.

Optimal parameters of the aquatic environment:

• temperature from +23 to +30 degrees Celsius;
• pH balance 6–7 units;
• water ranging from 3 to 13 degrees.

Senegalese ammania is usually planted using cuttings, but propagation by seeds is possible.

Ammania multiflora

A rather delicate plant that only experienced aquarists can successfully keep. Ammania multiflora (Latin name) appeared relatively recently in the domestic aquarium hobby. Suitable for growing in aquariums with a capacity of 100 liters or more.

The appearance of this grass also has high decorative qualities. On a straight, rigid stem, oblong leaves of bright green color grow in different directions. In bright light, you can see the red veins on them that make up the original pattern.

This ammania does not tolerate strong darkening at all; under such conditions it begins to quickly degrade. This is why the required light intensity should be around 0.6 W/l for a 10-hour daylight period.

Multiflora needs soft water (dH = 3–8°), and this is a prerequisite for its maintenance. The remaining parameters of the aquatic environment are usual for this genus of plants: temperature - from +22 °C to +30 °C, and the acid-base balance is close to neutral.

Sand is usually used as soil, less often fine gravel. Mineral fertilization of the soil is welcome.

Under optimal conditions, you can observe the appearance of small purple-pink flowers. During the flowering period, the vegetation looks very impressive.

Ammania bonsai

This species does not exist under natural conditions. Ammania bonsai was artificially bred for nanoaquariums. The Latin name of the plant is Ammania sp. “Bonsai”, which indicates the result of the work of the breeders.

The maximum height of the stem is 15 cm, small bright green leaves grow densely on it, the size of which is no more than 1 cm. There are so many leaves that the stem is almost invisible, and several sprouts of ornamental grass standing nearby form a kind of bush.

• The required water parameters are the same as for Ammania multiflora.
• The soil should also be sandy, but for stable development of vegetation, a little river silt should be added to it.

Weekly water changes - ¼ of the total volume - have a positive effect on the development of ornamental thickets.

When the light intensity is less than 0.5 W/l of water, the grass will begin to die. Thus, bright light for 10–12 hours is a necessary condition for life.

To propagate bonsai, just carefully cut off the top of the stem and carefully plant it in the ground. It should be borne in mind that the young shoot grows very slowly. By planting a few stems of this herb in the foreground of a small aquarium, you can create a stunning Japanese-style landscape.

Decorative varieties of ammania are quite capricious. However, if you provide them with an optimal environment, they will create in any aquarium a unique atmosphere of a colorful corner of living tropical nature.