Cryptocoryne crispatula Engler var. balansae (Gagnepain) N. Jacobsen

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Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae in the aquarium. It prefers hard water and is easy to cultivate. photo Möhlmann	This flowering specimen grows semi-emersed (ca. 5 cm of water depth). Note the line shaped purple markings on the limb. photo de Wit	An emersed cultivated Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae. It can hold its leaves more or less upright. Note again the purple lines. photo Jacobsen	A length section of the kettle of C. crispatula var. balansae. The kettle is half way constricted. photo de Wit
Biotope at Mueak Lek of C. crispatula var. balansae. The plants and stones are covered with calcium bicarbonate. photo Jacobsen	C. crispatula var. balansae in the Mueak Lek locality (Thailand). The leaves vary from bright green to bronze. photo Jacobsen	Some plants from different spots at Mueak Lek, the specimens at right from the river banks, growing emersed. photo Jacobsen	A typical 'balansae'. The petiole of the leave is too short in the drawing. drawing Ike Zewald

Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae has almost linear, bullated leaves and is thereby easy to ID. The leaves can be up to 60 cm, including the petiole, the typical width ca. 2 cm but can be up to 4 cm (different type). The color of the leave is green to brownish, the lower side pale green to reddish. It grows in a calcareous environment and is therefore an easy to cultivate plant for the aquarium.

For reference to the other plants and the literature see the page on the crispatula group.

Jan D. Bastmeijer, June 2000