Anubias afzelii
Anubias afzelii is a plant in the Araceae family. It was first described for science in 1857 by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott. That description was based on material collected in Sierra Leone by Adam Afzelius. Schott named the species after him.[1] The genus Anubias was described at the same time. Only A. afzellii belonged to it. This is therefore the type species of the genus.[2] A. afzelii was the first species of this genus known to science.[2]
| Anubias afzelii | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Genus: | Anubias |
| Species: | A. afzelii
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| Binomial name | |
| Anubias afzelii | |
Where it grows
changeThe plant is found in West Africa: Senegal, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Mali.[2]
Description
changeThe plant's leave blades are elongated (long and thin) and leathery. They can be up to 35 cm (14 in) long and 13 cm (5.1 in) wide. The leaf stems are generally shorter than the blade. The leaves are set on a creeping and rooting rhizome. It is 1–4 cm (0.39–1.57 in) thick. The spathe is 3–7 cm (1.2–2.8 in) long (sometimes up to 9 cm long). It has a 13–32 cm (5.1–12.6 in) long peduncle. The spadix is 5–8 cm (2.0–3.1 in) long (sometimes up to 12 cm long). It is a little bit longer than the spathe. Therefore, the tip of the spadix sticks a little bit out of the spathe. The upper part of the spadix is covered with male flowers. Their 5-6 stamens are fused. The anthers (also called thecae) are on the sides. The lower part of the spadix is covered with female flowers. These are reduced to the ovary and stigma.[2]
Ecology
changeThe plant grows in wet, shady places. It flowers from the end of March to July. It fruits from April to September.[3] The plant grows above water, but can sometimes be completely under water.
Growing conditions
changeThis plant grows best when only partly under water and when not crowded by other plants. It is most suited for the paludarium. It can also be used in larger aquariums, where it grows very slowly. It does not need much light. It prefers a temperature range of 22-26 °C. It can be propagated by dividing the rhizome. Propagation by seed is also easy.[4]
References
change
- ↑ Schott, H. (December 1857). "Aroideen Skizzen". Oesterreichisches Botanisches Wochenblatt (in German and Latin). 7 (50): 398–399. doi:10.1007/BF02071618. S2CID 263983601.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Crusio, W. (1979). "A revision of Anubias Schott (Araceae). (Primitiae Africanae XII)". Mededelingen Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen. 79 (14): 1–48.
- ↑ Crusio WE (1987). "Die Gattung Anubias SCHOTT (Araceae)". Aqua Planta (in German). Sonderheft (1): 1–44.
- ↑ Christel Kasselmann (1995). Aquarienpflanzen (in German). Stuttgart, Germany: Eugen Ulmer. p. 472. ISBN 1-57524-091-2.