Hygrophila difformis,

commonly known aswater wisteria, is an aquatic plant found in marshy habitats across the Indian subcontinent, including countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal. Here are some key details about this fascinating plant:

1. Appearance:

   • Water wisteria has long, thin leaves with slight serrations, giving them a delicate and feathery appearance.
   • When grown underwater, it exhibits bright green,feathery frondsthat can reach up to4 inches (10 cm) across.
   • Its bushy appearance makes it ideal for planted tanks, where it adds interesting visual texture and provides hiding spots for fish fry or shrimp.

2. Growth Characteristics:

   • Water wisteria is afast-growingplant that can reach a height of20 to 50 cmand a width of15 to 25 cm.
   • It is often used as abackground plantin aquariums, but you can also place it in the foreground or midground by trimming it shorter.
   • As a nitrogen consumer, it helps maintain water quality and outcompetes algae growth.
   • However, if not provided with sufficient light and nutrients, it may melt and lose its leaves initially.

3. Leaf Transformation:

   • Water wisteria is typically grown in commercial plant farms with its leaves and stems above water and roots submerged.
   • When introduced to an aquarium, it sheds its old, emersed leaves and develops new,submersed leavescapable of drawing nutrients from the water.
   • Submersed leaves are thinner, narrower, and more delicate, adapting to the underwater environment.

4. Comparison with Water Sprite:

   • Water sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides) has similar delicate, lacy leaves, but water sprites leaves are thinner and more needle-like when compared side by side.

In summary, water wisteria is a versatile and attractive aquatic plant that can enhance the aesthetics of your aquarium while contributing to water quality. Remember to provide it with the right conditions to thrive!