Cryptocoryne consobrina Schott
2006, Sunil rediscovered Cryptocoryne consobrina in the highlands of Karnataka, India at ca 1000 m. For some years, it was assumed that another plant found in 1981 in Calicut (Kerala)
represented C. consobrina. However a closer look by Josef Bogner lead him to
the conclusion that this was not true and in 2006 he described it as a new
species: C. sivadasanii. Be aware of this!
The pictures below represent the 'true' Cryptocoryne consobrina.
Click on the picture to get the full image (ca 50 k)
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| Leaves narrow linear to lanceolate, smooth in emerged growth, length up to 80 cm! coll. Sunil 4101 photo Sajeev |
Note the lower undulated submerged leaves with the spathe in the axil. coll. Sunil 4101 photo Sajeev |
Overall length of the spathe ca 15 cm, with a distinct collar. The limb is warty, yellowish with purple spots. coll. Sunil 4101 photo Sajeev |
The dark red coloured kettle with a constriction halfway, rhizome and roots and the fruit. coll. Sunil 4101/4237 photo Sajeev |
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| Herbarium specimen of C. consobrina Nationaal Herbarium Leiden (L) |
Though C. consobrina was already described in 1857, a detailed drawing was first given in Fischer (1936). | De Wit (1990) mentions the the broad leaved form
in his book. This form is not found up to now. drawing Ike Zewald |
Distribution of C. consobrina in southern India |
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| Around 1990, an unknown Cryptocoryne from a Shola forest (1300 m) in India came to Europe. coll. Sivadasan s.n., cult NJ 3411 photo Jacobsen |
The plant never flowered in the greenhouse. In 2009 they were grown outdoors till October (when frost comes) |
Only a bit shaded for full sun, they grew very well. They are also well suited for the aquarium. coll. Sivadasan s.n., cult B 828 photo Bastmeijer |
In 2010 they developed 60 cm long, stiff and brittle leaves in the greenhouse. May be this is C. consobrina. coll. Sivadasan s.n., cult B 828 photo Bastmeijer |
A striking feature of C. consobrina is the dimorphism in the leaves: undulated flaccid? submersed and longer, smooth, more or less broad stiff? emerged leaves.
M. Sivadasan was so kind to give me permission to use the photographs from the article.
Jan D. Bastmeijer, updated August 2010
Literature.
Bogner, J., 2004. Cryptocoryne sivadasanii (Araceae), a new
species from India. Willdenowia 34: 195-201.
Engler, A., 1879. Cryptocoryne Fischer ex Wydler. DC Mon.Phan. II : 623-631.
Engler, A., 1882. Aracee della Malesia e della Papuasia raccolte da O.Beccari. In
O.Beccari, Malesia 1 : 296-300, Abb. 27-28.
Engler, A., 1920. (Cryptocoryne, Lagenandra in): Das Pflanzenreich IV.23.F. Araceae -
Aroideae : 232-249, Leipzig.
Fischer, C.E.C., 1931. Cryptocoryne & Lagenandra in : Gamble, Fl.Pres. Madras :
1573-1576.
Fischer, C.E.C., 1936. Cryptocoryne consobrina Schott. Hook.Ic.Pl.Tab. 3305.
Furtado, C.X., 1935. Araceae Malesicae. Gardens Bull.of the Straits Settlem. 8 : 145-148.
Hooker, J.D., 1893. Cryptocoryne, Lagenandra in : Flora of British India 6 : 492-496.
Jacobsen, N., 1982. Cryptocorynen. Alfred Kernen Verlag, Stuttgart.
Rataj, K., 1975. Revision of the genus Cryptocoryne Fischer. Studie CSAV, c.3.Praha.
Schott, H.W., 1857. Cryptocorynenskizze. Bonplandia 5(14) : 219-223.
Schott, H.W., 1860. Cryptocoryne. Prod.Sys.Aroid. 14-19.
Sunil, C.N. & M. Sivadasan, 2009. Rediscovery of Cryptocoryne consobrina, a little-known and suspected-to-be extinct species of Araceae of India. Aroideana, Vol. 32: 142-146.
Wit, H.C.D.de, 1960. Het genus Cryptocoryne (13) [=14], Cryptocoryne consobrina Schott.
Het Aquarium 31(5) : 112-114.
Wit, H.C.D.de, 1990. Aquarienpflanzen, 2. Auflage. Ulmer, Stuttgart. ISBN 3-8001-7185-6.
See also C. sivadasanii