Subclass Rosidae ( Rosidae )
Order Myrtales ( Myrtales )
Family Lythraceae ( Lythraceae )
Genus Ammannia — Ammannia.
To date, three stabilized forms have been imported, which can be conditionally designated as narrow-leaved green, narrow-leaved red, and broad-leaved red. The first of them (narrow-leaved green) is poorly adapted to a prolonged stay underwater, and its green color makes it the least attractive. Therefore, it is quite rare.
The broad-leaved red form has sessile, egg-shaped leaves 2-2.5 cm long and 1-1.3 cm wide, i.e., their length is approximately twice their width. The leaves are dense, leathery, with a clearly visible main vein and slightly wavy edges. Their coloration ranges from reddish-brown to wine-red. The narrow-leaved red form has the same coloration. However, its leaf length-to-width ratio is about 5 times, and their size is usually 4-6 x 0.8-1.0 cm. The edges of the leaves are often curling. The stem of all mentioned forms is thick and fleshy.
Graceful ammania — Ammannia gracilis.
“1” Synonym: Ammannia diffusa. It grows along river banks and in flooded areas in West Africa in Senegal and Gambia. Graceful ammania is sometimes called giant. It has a fairly bright reddish or light pink stem, the diameter of which reaches 1.1 cm, and its leaves can grow up to 12 cm in length and up to 2 cm in width. The stem is very thick, erect, fleshy, and bare, 25-50 cm long. Leaves are sessile, entire-margined, decussate. Submersed leaf blades are lanceolate, 7-12 cm long, 0.7-1.8 cm wide.
The color of the leaves depends on lighting and conditions and can vary from violet to light pink. The upper side of the leaf is colored from olive-green to brownish-red, the lower side is deeply violet. The violet color of the leaves is achieved only under optimal maintenance conditions. Shoots tend to rise above the water. In general, both species of ammania are similar, but in Ammannia gracilis, the leaf edge is smooth, does not curl downward, and it is larger.
“2” Suitable for a tropical aquarium. It develops best in soft water (dH 4-12°) at a temperature of 24-28°C. pH not more than 7.4; at higher values, the plant simply degrades. Plants require CO2 enrichment. Successful cultivation of these plants depends, on the one hand, on the intensity of lighting and, on the other hand, on the fertility of the substrate and the purity of the water. The addition of trace elements will allow this plant to acquire a violet color.
It has special requirements for lighting, which must be bright (0.5 W/l). Due to its cognac-brown color, it is a very popular aquarium plant that grows more lushly under good lighting. A reliable indicator of lighting deficiency is the blackening and falling off of leaves at the lower nodes. Also, depending on the lighting level, it changes the color of its leaves from bronze-red to pale green. Daylight hours should last about 12 hours.
“4” The plant requires a nutrient-rich substrate. The substrate can be gravel or sand rich in iron and nutrients. The leaf coloration depends on the amount of nutrients and the degree of illumination.
“5” A freely planted group of Ammannia gracilis, placed in the center or in the background of the aquarium against the background of green plants, always attracts attention. 5-7 stems are enough to form a group. It is also planted singly in a staggered pattern, separate from each other. The better the conditions, the more saturated the leaf color of this plant. Quite resistant to algae overgrowth unlike Alternanthera.
Shoots tend to rise above the water. Ammannia gracilis is larger than Ammannia senegalensis and is more suitable only for spacious aquariums. Disadvantages: the stem of the ammania is too thick. Ammania is too bright, for this reason, it should be planted in limited quantities in a “Dutch” aquarium.
“6” Propagation by cuttings, separating side shoots; it is enough to separate one of the stems and plant it.
Senegal ammania — Ammannia senegalensis.
“1” Synonym: Ammannia filiformis, salsuginosa. Grows in Africa. Reddish-brown African ammanias with narrow lanceolate leaves are not yet very common in aquariums, as they are quite difficult to keep. Height up to 30-40 cm. Stem erect, reddish in color. Leaves sessile, entire-margined, decussate, with a very short petiole, simple. Leaf blade up to 6 cm long, slightly more than 1 cm wide, linear or lanceolate, apex acute, upper side olive-green to light brown, lower side reddish. The edge of the leaves is sometimes curved downwards. The color of the leaves depends on the light intensity.
“2” A heat-loving plant, needs a temperature from 22 to 28°C, pH 6.0-7.0. A light-requiring plant. The appearance of the plant strongly depends on the maintenance conditions; strong light is desirable. Under the “Aqua Glo” phytolamp, the leaves are pink, sometimes with the leaf edge curving downwards. Senegal ammania looks more interesting under the Hagen “Sun GLO” lamp: the leaves are light yellow with a pinkish tint. Likes soft water and open space. Regular addition of CO2 to the water is desirable.
“4” Senegal ammania likes nutrient-rich soil, fertilizing with fertilizers and ferrous iron. It is advisable to apply complex trace elements. The root system is rather weak.
“5” A mid-ground plant, suitable for keeping even in small aquariums. Submersed specimens acquire decorative appeal in groups. This plant should be planted in the form of terraces, in loose groups. It is advisable to group them at the back of the aquarium in groups of 5-6 bushes. Depending on the water level in the aquarium, it can have a vertical or horizontal growth form. As the water level in the aquarium rises, the plant grows in length.
This plant can cause many difficulties in cultivation and requires a lot of attention. Achieving good decorativeness is very difficult. Growth rate is medium. The plant often begins to grow poorly; sometimes replanting to another place and adding clay under the roots helps. It cannot be planted in shady places, because the plant really loves bright light.
“6” Ammania can be propagated by cuttings, by cutting and planting the tops and side shoots of plants.
Rotala macrandra, Rotala wallichii, Rotala indica.
Didiplis diandra, Nesaea crassicaulis, Nesaea pedicellata. 
