Hygrophila difformis (Wisteria)

Hygrophila difformis sometimes called Water wisteria is a very  fast growing plant demanding very good light and lots of nutrients to get  good green growth. The plants leaves change completely when grown out of the  water, the very soft lobed leaves become smaller and serrated with lots of  glandular hairs. The substance the glands give off seems to be toxic to some  fish and you need to take great care when handling them as any damage seems  to give off the toxin. Once they have been in the water a while the poison seems to disappear.

This plant has many leaf forms and plants can vary widely in appearance depending on the water quality, nutrients and light the plant is getting. It's really a very attractive plant and very fern like in appearance and is one of my favorite plants. It doesn't really look at all like the other Hygrophila plants. It can be used as a back, middle or forground plant, depending on how much it's trimmed.

Wisteria grows better with medium, or higher lighting, but can be grown in somewhat low lighting also. The stems and leaves are delicate so extra care must be taken when planting, or the bruised stems will wither and the plants will float. Small parts of the plant will form roots and make new plants, even small pieces of leaves will often grow to new plants.

Hygrophila difformis is undemanding, so a good plant for beginners. It can help create a balance in the aquarium from the start. Its rapid growth helps prevent algae because the plant absorbs a great number of nutrients from the water. The shortage of micro-nutrients leads to pale leaves, which may be an indication that the aquarium needs fertiliser. In large aquariums its lobed leaves can create a distinctive group.

• Height: 20-50 cm
• Width: 15-25 cm
• Light requirements: medium-very high
• Temperature: 22-30 °C
• Hardness tolerance: very soft-very hard
• pH tolerance: 5-9
• Growth: fast
• Demands: easy

Habitat

This is an aquatic emergent plant. It has very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens. The plant naturally grows as an emergent, but it can survive long periods fully submerged