Cryptocoryne Blog

Cryptocoryne alba is a species from southern Sri Lanka. Originally described in 1975, the name ‘alba’ was given due to the pure white spathe on the type specimen. However, it was soon discovered that there is quite a bit of variation with the color of the spathe as well as the leaves. The spathes can be anywhere from pure white, yellow, rose and even deep red/purple.

Unlike most Sri Lankan cryptocorynes, this plant proves to be a little bit of a challenge in cultivation. Growing in acidic soil with water low in carbonates, the plant creates clusters of daughter plants near the mother.

Ghazanfar Ghori Culture Info

Here’s why it’s called Cryptocoryne longicuada:

Longus is Latin for “long”, cauda is Latin for “tail”.

I’ve added a scale (in cm) to give you an idea of size – the spathe is almost 10 inches tall, with almost more than half of that being the tail itself – and its still got a couple of days worth of growth before it opens up. I expect it to put on another 2 inches before its all said and done.

I took the picture now vs. later for two reasons:

1) Once the spathe opens, the tail goes almost horizontal.
2) It’s almost touching the lid of the tank its in, no doubt it’ll touch it tomorrow and bend.

Ghazanfar Ghori Spathes

Last year, a friend of mine went on a collecting trip to the Panti area of Johor state in Malaysia. He found quite a number of plants, and he documented it in his blog. One of the plants he collected was Cryptocoryne cf. griffithi. Shown here in situ:

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A few months after that, I was lucky enough to receive that plant. Soon after I planted it, it melted down to a single leaf. Over the last few months its made a good recovery, and the plant has gotten significantly larger. It’s also thrown out a number of really really long and thin runners from which I’ve now gotten some additional plants. Large broad green leaves, with rippled edges and light green under sides, this plant was quite different from any other crypts I currently have.

Last week I noticed it was starting to put out a spathe – very exciting – since I had not yet to date flowered Cryptocoryne griffithi. However, as the spathe progressed and got longer and longer, I started to have doubts as to the identity of this plant.

Then yesterday, the spathe finally opened and took me completely by surprise!

Without a doubt, this plant is Cryptocoryne cordata! Now, I have about 8 or 9 different cordata variates in my collection, and there is a LARGE variation in leaf shape, size, color and texture, but none of the cordata plants I have possess green leaves. Hey, maybe I should post some pictures of the variations of cordata leaves. I digress, the picture of the plant in situ, also doesn’t look very much like any cordata.

Some detailed pictures of the spathe…

Notice the slightly textured limb of the spathe.

I’ve emailed the pictures to Jan Bastmeijer to get his opinion. It’s no doubt C. cordata – but I suspect it may be var. Gabrowskii. I’ll post an update when I hear back from him.

Ghazanfar Ghori Spathes

I realize that I’ve blogged about Cryptocoryne ciliata in the past, but whenever it throws up a new spathe, I’m always excited about it. The spathe of this particular variety has just a nice looking color, with interesting texture that has to be appreciated in person to get the full effect. Its elegant, bold, weird and beautiful all at the same time – and it’s HUGE. The pot in the picture below is a 3 inch pot!

The wonderful speckling in the throat, along with the cream colored base. An area of swollen tissue defines the collar of the spathe.

In all its elegance….

Just look that that texture!

The quinessential picture of the female flower. Notice the ‘furry’ ends of the stigmas and super short styles.

A well defined male part of the flower with pollen tubes partially extended.

Ghazanfar Ghori Spathes