Echinodorus cordifolius ''ovalis''

Originally described as Echinodorus ovalis, these sword plants native to Cuba are counted among the very variable species Echinodorus cordifolius today. We are referring to them as E. cordifolius "ovalis" for this reason. Plants corresponding to the description of E. ovalis are also found in Eastern Mexico. Like all the other forms of E. cordifolius, the bog plant E. cordifolius "ovalis" often grows in shallow water in nature. It is smaller and more delicate, and its leaves have a less pronounced heart shape as typical plants of E. cordifolius. The creeping or floating flower stalks can reach a length of up to 2 m, and a great number of adventitious plants develop on them.

However, under the name of "Echinodorus ovalis", there are also other plants in the trade, which might possibly differ from the wild forms from Cuba (pictures 1 and 2). Thus we cannot say anything definitive about cultivated "Echinodorus ovalis".