Subclass Alismatidae
Order Alismatales
Family Alismataceae
Genus Echinodorus
Schlüter’s Sword Plant — Echinodorus cordifolius schlueteri.
«1» Mexico, South America. Height 15-25 cm. Width 15-20 cm. The youngest leaves have clearly defined red-brown spots, which eventually disappear on older leaves. The plant has 5 to 9 basal leaves.
«2» Temperature 20-28°C. Grows in slightly acidic water with pH 6-7, does not depend on hardness and tolerates cool water very well. dH 4-18. Lighting – medium to very strong. Generally, this plant is undemanding, but under strong lighting, the red-brown spots become more intense.
«4» Forms a powerful branched root system. Nutrient substrate stimulates growth.
«5» In large water bodies, this Echinodorus can be used in the foreground and middle ground, in smaller aquariums – as a central bush in the middle or rear part. Wide and low leaves make this plant suitable for small aquariums. Does not like crowding from other plants. Growth rate is medium. Maintenance conditions are medium. Planting density – 1 plant per 25 cm2.
«6» The flower stalk creeps along the substrate and roots at the nodes, forming daughter plants that easily separate and begin an independent existence.
Leopard Sword Plant — Echinodorus cordifolius schlueteri “Leopard”.
«1» Breeding form, also known as “green leopard”. A distinctive feature is that young leaves have dark spots that remain visible on old leaves, although not as distinct. Young leaves of this mutant are brown with crimson “splashes”, old ones are light green with the same spots. Height 10-15 cm. Width 15-20 cm.
«2» Temperature 20-28°C, pH 6.0-8.0. Lighting – strong to very strong.
«4» Prefers loose, nutrient-rich substrate. Responds positively to root and liquid fertilizers. Additional carbon dioxide supply to the aquarium also has a positive effect on the plant’s habitus and vegetation rate.
«5» Forms a fairly dense rosette of 15-20 leaves, the maximum height of which usually does not exceed 30 cm. Used for planting in the middle line or foreground (depending on aquarium capacity). However, it grows much slower. Maintenance conditions are difficult.
«6» Propagates vegetatively, by separating offsets, or by forcibly separating a part of the rhizome.
Oval Heart-leaved Sword Plant — Echinodorus cordifolius “Ovalis”.
«1» Central and South America. Height 20-35 cm. Width 20-30 cm. Leaf blade broadly ovate, with a pointed, sometimes rounded apex, and a rounded, truncate, or slightly cordate base, neutral green, often with reddish spots under water. Has 7-9 veins. Leaf blades with translucent lines and dots. Recommended for both beginners and experienced aquarists.
«2» Temperature 18-26°C, pH 5.5-8.0. Lighting is very strong.
«4» Nutrient substrate stimulates growth, and if the underside of the leaves turns pale, it indicates a lack of trace elements in the water.
«5» A small, low, and undemanding plant, making it suitable for small aquariums. Growth rate is medium. Maintenance conditions are simple.
«6» Forms side shoots that bend down to the substrate and form daughter plants.
Heart-leaved Sword Plant “Marble Queen” — Echinodorus cordifolius “Marble Queen”.
«1» (Eng. Variegated Sword). Breeding form. Variety name based on mottled leaves, especially in emersed plants. Height 15-20 cm. Width 15-25 cm. Usually, plants grown in bog conditions have a peculiar “marble” coloration, which sometimes disappears under water.
«2» Temperature 22-28°C. Washed sand is quite sufficient as a substrate, water from high to medium hardness, and pH in the slightly alkaline range. pH 6.0-8.0. The plant requires strong lighting, and CO2 fertilization is also recommended to stimulate growth. Under weak lighting, mottling appears stronger than under intense lighting, but bright lighting stimulates the formation of anthocyanins, so young leaves may develop a rich red-brown coating.
«5» Nursery-grown plants adapt well underwater and have a high growth rate. Suitable for low open aquariums where leaves can emerge from the water and acquire a more pronounced “marble” pattern. The tendency to form emersed leaves is high, which is why overgrown plants should be replaced with young ones after a few months. Growth rate is medium. Maintenance conditions are medium.
Identification: Genus Echinodorus — Echinodorus cordifolius.
Echinodorus grandiflorus, Echinodorus grisebachii, “Tropica”.
Echinodorus berteroi, Echinodorus bolivianus, Echinodorus cordifolius. 
