Anubias barteri var. caladiifolia

Anubias barteri var. caladiifolia is the largest variety of the species Anubias barteri. It is found in several countries in West Africa, and similar to other varieties of A. barteri, it forms vast populations on the banks and in shallow-water zones of rapidly-flowing rivers and rivulets as well as as waterfalls in tropical rainforests. The plants are either rooted in the ground or grow attached to rocks, in sunny to shaded locations.

The leaf blades of this variety grow to a length of up to 24 cm, narrow to wide ovate, and in older plants they develop a distinctly heart-shaped basis. The leaf stalks can grow over 40 cm long, the leaf margin is smooth or slightly undulate.

Several different forms of var. caladiifolia are in cultivation. In trade you can e.g. find a plant with wide heart-shaped leaves that is carried under the name A. barteri var. caladiifolia "1705" (these numbers are used by an Australian in vitro lab).

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