Madagascar Lace Plant
Aponogeton madagascariensis is certainly one of the strangest plants to embellish our Madagascar biotope aquarium. It’s appearance makes it different from other plants as the leaves are devoid of leaf tissue (mesophyll). Only the connecting veins of the leaves are visible which, looking at them, give the impression that it is crossed by many micro windows.
Distribution: Madagascar, Mauritius (introduced).
The Madagascar lace plant is a true aquatic. It does not, like most of our other aquarium plants, undergo an emersed form, nor does it require a “drying-out” period like some other Aponogeton.
Most Aponogeton grow under lower light than other aquarium plants. Bright light appears to trigger dormancy and sometimes cause the algae growth in the “windows” of the Madagascar lace.
Aponogeton madagascariensis hails from the massive island of Madagascar, off the southeast coast of Africa. The Madagascar lace leaves are well-suited to even fast-flowing rivers and that it is only rarely encountered in standing water. But the many populations on the island have adapted to varying conditions, in biotopes of all kinds.
Water circulation is especially important for the high tank required by a healthy Madagascar lace. This plant will thrive in soft/acidic to moderately hard/alkaline water.
Aponogeton madagascariensis likes cool temperatures, low light, and changing temperatures.
It is quite easy to propagate this species from seed. Once the plant has flowered, rub along the flower head with a small paintbrush to fertilise the plants. After using this propagation method the flower will go into a dormant stage so many keepers prefer to split the tubers rather than use this method.
