Limnophila sessiliflora



Limnophila sessiliflora, known as dwarf ambulia, ambulis, and Asian marshweed is a flowering plant in the family Plantaginaceae.

Distribution and habitat
L. sessiliflora is native to Bangladesh, Bhutan, China (Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Henan, Inner Mongolia, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), Hong Kong, India (Assam, Sikkim), Indonesia (Java), Japan (Ryukyu Islands), North Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. It inhabits a wide range of natural and man-made freshwater wetland habitats including ponds, rice fields, and swamps. It occurs in both permanent and seasonal waters at altitudes up to 1900 m.

This species has become invasive in the United States, occurring in the states of Florida, Georgia, and Texas. It likely became established in the U.S. after escaping cultivation in Florida, where it was first recorded growing in Hillsborough County in 1961.

Description
This species appears superficially similar to Cabomba caroliniana, yet it has leaves formed in whorls, about 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. Any confusion is likely due to the leaves being pinnate and bright green in colour. Under strong artificial light or sunlight, the leaves take on a reddish, ‘stresses’ hue, as do many plant species. When the plant has received enough light for the day, the whorls of leaves will often close, and the entire plant will "sleep". This plant can, eventually, reach over 16 inches (40 cm) in height, often growing emergent (out of the water's surface), where sunlight and carbon dioxide is far more available to the plant. The submersed leaves are very different from the emersed leaves, due to lower light penetration through the water, often more dark green, and more or less ‘Lance’-shaped.

The fruit are elliptical capsules, 3.5–5.5 mm long, green-brown when submersed, dark brown when emersed.

Ecology
L. sessiliflora is an aquatic perennial herb. It is capable of growing fully submerged or emergent, with the leaves taking on distinct submerged and emerged forms. It is a fast growing species that may reproduce by seed or by stem fragmentation.

Cultivation
Quite commonly used as a bunch plant in aquariums. Needs medium light (more light results in better growth and appearance) and a nutrient-rich water column. Benefits from the addition of CO2. Like many stem plants, it tends to take on a leggy growth in poor light.

Propagated by cuttings.

Growth conditions: Ph 6–7.5 3–25 dGH 3–25 dKH Temperature 22 – 28'C

A nutrient-rich substrate also benefits the plant.