Need help to identify Rotala macrandra (Narrow)

[o2bubble]

Hi all, I got some of above from lfs recently in emerse form as claim but it does not look like any of the photos (submerged) I see on the internet. It looks more like Rotala sp from Araguaia (see 1st attached photo). Would appreciate if anyone could advice.. and also where to find it?

[lorba]

This is what we call Bacopa sp red, Bacopa sp (紅色小圓葉 taiwan, 小虎耳 i told oriental this name), or some called Rotala sp from Araguaia from elsewhere. It has very small leave with length <= 1cm, emerse or submerse. It is produce as submerse form and sold to shops here.
I think there is yet a proper classification or scientific name for it.

There is also Bacopa sp from Araguaia River, 紫虎耳, which has bigger purplish leaves, size like Bacopa caroliana. Stems are hairy too when emerse. Usually green underwater with insufficient nutrients and light.

For Rotala macrandra narrow form (尖葉紅蝴蝶, Oriental code 547) , farms here like even Oriental do not grow them underwater. This is only produced by Oriental in big quantity, emerse. The emerse leaves are round, dark red tones and will take several cuttings to achieve the correct form of submerse.

Many species including ludwigia pantanal are difficult to maintain underwater and it is also troublesome clearing algae from water. Therefore, most farms will grow most species emerse.

[o2bubble]

Thanks roland. Lets see if it can transform from dark red, round hard leaves to red, narrow, long soft leaves. Looks like a total transformation

[lorba]

Yes it will. I have grown it many times.

However, the narrow leaf form depends on condition.
I have them in 2 tanks with 2 different leaf size, 1 very narrow and 1 become quite fat.

they are slow grower at same time, make sure it is not shaded.

[o2bubble]

ok, no choice as cannot find submerged form

[o2bubble]

Haha, i managed to find submerged r.m (narrow) finally but only 5 stalks. Waiting for them to propogate now The other emerged form grows very slowly and only throw out a few new leaves so far even placed under direct MH lights. The leaves still does not look like submrged rm (narrow). Will monitor..

[o2bubble]

An update... The emerse form I got from the LFS (actually midori) all now converted to submerge form and the leaves are now truely R.Macrandra Narrow. Thanks to Roland of Midori for his patience in providing his valuable advise!