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Vallisneria americana
"gigantea" - the current and therefore correct name is Vallisneria
americana var. americana Michaux - is a vigorous
but also space-requiring plant. Several varieties are sold in the shops but
most of them are cultural forms with more or less variation in leaf
morphology. Most forms can produce leaves of up to two metres in length and
even in rather deep tanks these will reach the surface where they are
effective competitors for light. The leaves may be cut down but this, of
course, reduces the plant growth and also it does not look very nice, and it
consequently performs best in large show aquaria. Vallisneria americana
"gigantea" shows optimum growth in hard waters with moderate to
intense flow. The root system of Vallisneria americana "gigantea" can
reach very high densities and a substrate of at least 10 cm is therefore
recommended.
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