810

Cryptocoryne retrospiralis (Roxb) Kunth

Synonym	:	Ambrosina retrospiralis Roxb.
Family	:	Araceae
Flowering and fruiting period	:	November-March
Distribution		South and North East India
Distribution in Kerala	:	Kasaragode,Kollam,Idukki,Pathanamthitta,Malappuram,Palakkad, Kannur,Wayanad
Habitat	:	River banks and stream sides
IUCN status	:	Least concerned
Uses	:	It does great from low light tanks to high light tanks. The stronger the light the more colorful it will become. Use Cryptocoryne Retrospiralis in groups to create a nice cluster swaying in the current of your aquarium.
Key botanical characters: Stoloniferous marshy herbs. Leaves many, to 16 x 0.8 cm, linear-oblong, acute, glabrous; sheath white, closed. Peduncle 2-3 cm long, slender, solitary; spathe 10-12 cm long, partitioned by a transverse diaphrum above the spadix; tube above the diaphrum 6 cm long, limb 3 cm long, spirally twisted, acuminate, pale brown with deep brown spots; spadix 14 mm long, included in the chamber, slender at middle. Female flowers 4 or 5, one-whorled at the base; ovaries connate, l-celled, ovules many, on parietal placentas; style short, curved. Neutral flowers 4-6, above the female flowers as a whorl of appendages. Male flowers many, in terminal globose clusters; stamens 1 or 2.