Keep in mind that most of the botanical aspects presented here are light weight. The
purpose is to illustrate the typical details in so far relevant for Cryptocoryne.
Look for a good textbook on botany for the underlying concepts!
Distribution
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Distribution of Cryptocoryne in SE Asia
is not restricted to the main land masses. Just realize that for 10,000 years, the last
glacial period, water (sea)level was about 60 m lower than today. The map presented shows
in blue the sea at the last glacial period. Green are current 'dry' areas. The white area
is the land mass (with the 'green' areas) at that time, called the Sunda plat. The dotted
lines are the main rivers at these days as can still seen on the sea bottom. The red dot
just south from W. Malaysia points to Bintan island, where several Cryptocoyne
are found. The red dots between the Malay peninsula and Borneo are the isles (or better
archipelagos) Tarempa and Natuna. On both isles Cryptocoryne plants are found but
not identified yet. |
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Habitats
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Cryptocoryne plants grow at different
spots, each species adapted for 'best fit'. They grow in the lowland forests, in peat
swamp areas, in small streams and some in broad rivers. Also the fresh water tidal areas
are habitats for Cryptocoryne. Amazing is to see that a couple of Cryptocoryne
were able to survive in or recolonize plantations. It is quite amazing to see people
cleaning up ditches because of too luxurous growth of Cryptocoryne! On the other
hand much species are seriously threatened in there habitat.
See the page with some habitats (click on the picture left)
and read the lecture on habitats by Niels Jacobsen.
photo de Wilde |
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Structures
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One must have a basic understanding of the
general structures in Cryptocoryne.
Knowing the general structure of an inflorescence of a Cryptocoryne, it may be
usefull to see the variation in it.
Have a look inside the kettle.
photo Bastmeijer |
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| SEM pictures
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Fine Arts
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This page is a bit controversary, as most
examples are not as fine as you would like. Nevertheless it is stunning to see what is
made! A special place is reserved for Ike Zewald and her beautifull botanical drawings
of Cryptocoryne. See drawings by Ike Zewald from De
Wit´s books.
tile: design Jelle Reumer |
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Chromosomes
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A mayor breakthrough in the taxonomy of Cryptocoryne
happened when the technics of counting chromosomes was applied to this genus. Though
sometimes difficult to explain, it was shown by Jacobsen that there exist a quite simple
grouping of plants.
One of the most interesting aspects is the frequently encountered polyploidy, when the
basic chromosome number is doubled or more. For example, in C. cordata there
exists a range of different plants, with chromosome numbers of 2n = 24, 68, 85 and 102.
See the chromosome pictures (left) and look at the chromosome counts table.
Another interesting aspect in Cryptocoryne is the natural occurence of hybrid
plants. This is probably much more common then was assumed before. See the pollen fertility table for details.
photo Arends |
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Synonyms
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Taxonomy in Cryptocoryne is a quite
dynamical business. Lots of changes are made in the past decades. Popular species had to
be renamed. For the hobbyist it often looks like a mesh. Even worse is the situation when
botanists themselves don't agree. Then different 'schools' arise and mostly it far from
nice when it is the case. More subtle is when one has to interprete small differences
between specimens of a species. The last decads it has grown clear that there is much
variation. Often these differences are small and how to judge these? The discussion on
these problems must be made in the 'forum' of envolved botanists. The C. cordata
left has a lot of synonyms. Look at the SYNONYMS page for the
whole list.
photo Bastmeijer |
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Who's who in Cryptocoryne
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It will take quite a long time to search for
details on people who were ever involved with the small aroids of the genus Cryptocoryne.
Can you imagine how Odoardo Beccari, a famous Italian botanist, sailed on Borneo around
1860? |
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