Ranalisma rostratum

Ranalisma rostratum

  • Light green, grasslike
  • Forms a nice lawn
  • Rarely available in trade
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Foreground ground cover for aquariums

Foreground ground cover

Foreground group for aquariums

Foreground

Aquarium plant for nano aquariums

Nano aquarium

Difficulty of the aquarium plant
Difficulty Medium
Growth of the aquarium plant
Growth Fast
Light above the aquarium
Light Medium
Maximum water hardness for this aquarium plant in the aquarium
Water hardness max. Hard
Care height of aquarium plants
Recommended care height 5-10 cm
CO2 in the planted aquarium
CO2 Yes

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Description

Ranalisma rostratum is a small plant from the water-plantain (Alismataceae) family and is native to tropical Asia. Although this plant became known in aquaristics a long time ago, it has remained a rarity in the trade. The species name is also spelled Ranalisma rostrata. In old aquarium literature this species is found under the synonym Echinodorus ridleyi. The genus Ranalisma contains only two species, the second species is Ranalisma humile from Africa.
This plant is one of the most beautiful grass-like ground covers. One hardly suspects this when it comes into the trade in its terrestrial form, for it then has rounded, spoon-like leaves and small white flowers from which conspicuous hedgehog-like aggregate fruits develop. Under water, however, Ranalisma rostratum develops light green, narrow, grass-like leaves and forms a bright green, low, about 4 to 6 cm high lawn through runner chains, very similar to Helanthium tenellum 'parvulum'. The submerged leaves are usually about 5 - 8 cm long and 2 - 3 mm wide.

Pay attention to rather strong lighting and good CO2 and nutrient supply. Iron deficiency is quickly indicated by pale yellow new leaves. Like all rosette plants, Ranalisma rostratum is grateful for a nutrient-rich substrate, e.g. Aquasoil. In our experience, the plant is somewhat more demanding than Helanthium tenellum "parvulum", but also remains lower and narrower-leaved than the latter. It is best to place several individual plants in the substrate at some distance from each other. With their runners they will soon grow together to form a lawn. Too dense stands should be thinned out; too many new runners can simply be cut off.

Ranalisma rostratum deserves more attention in aquascaping as a light green, grass-like ground cover. In "geographically correct" Asia-themed tanks, this plant is a substitute for the similar chain swords (Helanthium) originating from America. In the land form, Ranalisma rostratum should be interesting for emers set-ups such as aquaterrariums and wabi-kusa.

Ranalisma rostratum is a small plant from the Asian tropics and subtropics. It is often sold under the grammatically incorrect name "Ranalisma rostrata". When kept emersed, the leaves of R. rostratum are roundish, with a stalk, and the short inflorescence often consists of a single flower, from which a rather large erinaceous aggregate fruit develops. It contains a large number of rostrate nutlets with flat sides. The submersed form has light green lineal leaves and closely resembles the light green variety of Helanthium tenellum (please see Helanthium tenellum "parvulum"). Just like the species of the genus Helanthium, R. rostratum forms long runners that are truly modified inflorescences (pseudo or inflorescence stolons).

R. (read more)

Synonyms Echinodorus ridleyi Steenis, Echinodorus rostratus (Stapf) Gagnepain (1929), not (Nuttall) Engelmann ex A. Gray (1848)
Complete botanical name Ranalísma rostrátum Stapf
Family Alismataceae
Genus Ranalisma
Difficulty medium
Usage Foreground, group, Foreground, ground cover
Aquascaping forms a grass-like lawn
Growth fast
Temperature tolerance 20 - 28°C
General hardness 0 - 30°dGH
Propagation Runners
Can grow emersed? yes
Source Flowgrow
Synonyms
Echinodorus ridleyi Steenis, Echinodorus rostratus (Stapf) Gagnepain (1929), not (Nuttall) Engelmann ex A. Gray (1848)
Complete botanical name
Ranalísma rostrátum Stapf
Family
Alismataceae
Genus
Ranalisma
Difficulty
medium
Usage
Foreground, group, Foreground, ground cover
Aquascaping
forms a grass-like lawn
Growth
fast
Temperature tolerance
20 - 28°C
General hardness
0 - 30°dGH
Propagation
Runners
Can grow emersed?
yes
Source
Flowgrow

How many plants do I need?

How big is the area to be planted? (cm)

General information

Item no.
EAN
Weight
Shipping weight

Questions and answers about Ranalisma rostratum

You have questions about this product? Ask other customer or our support team about this product!

How big / long does this plant get submersed? Thanks
Translated from German
D. G.
Nov. 2022
Lisa Pogodda
Nov. 2022
Support
In its submersed form, Ranalisma rostratum grows grass-like and reaches a height of approx. 6 - 8 cm.
Translated from German
Helpful!
Hello. I bought Ranalisma rostratum as in-vitro. I'm having a hard time planting it now. When I split the clump into small plants, the root is so small that it doesn't hold in the substrate. What's the best way to plant it?
Translated from German
Andre K.
Jan. 2025
Verena Lutze
Jan. 2025
The divided portions are placed into the substrate with tweezers. It works best at an angle, which keeps the plant from floating up. The amount of roots isn't decisive here. Only part of the plant needs to be visible above the soil.
Translated from German
Helpful!
Can I trim the plant?
Translated from German
Georg W.
Feb. 2026
Verena Lutze
Feb. 2026
If too many runners form, they can simply be cut off. Overly dense stands should be thinned out.
Translated from German
Helpful!

Customer reviews

This item has been rated 4.3 out of 5 stars
11 Reviews
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5 Stars(7)
4 Stars(1)
3 Stars(2)
2 Stars(1)
1 Star(0)
Dieter D.
Everything perfect!
3rd March 2024
Ranalisma rostratum - in Vitro XL
Ranalisma rostratum - in Vitro XL

The very beautiful and strong plants were delivered very quickly and perfectly packed! Everything was great, I'll be buying here again!

Translated from German
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Alles perfekt!

Die sehr schönen und kräftigen Pflanzen wurden sehr schnell und perfekt verpackt geliefert! Alles Super, hier kaufe ich gerne wieder!

Mirko M.
Underrated
5th January 2023
Ranalisma rostratum - in Vitro XL
Ranalisma rostratum - in Vitro XL

I have the plant as a ground cover in my Walstad. It does best of all the starter plants; the Rotala HRa, Limnophilia sessiliflora and Bacopa monnieri compact all initially... (read more)

Translated from German
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Underrated

Habe die Pflanze in meinem Walstad als Bodendecker. Macht sich am besten von allen Startpflanzen, die Rotala HRa, Limnophilia sessiliflora, Bacopa monnieri compact, gammelten zunächst fast alle von unten her weg. Vermutlich zu viel Gase im Bodengrund. Die Ranalisma juckt das gar nicht, die wirft fleißig Ausläufer und sieht echt von Tag zu Tag schöner aus. Ich hab noch nicht 100% submersen Wuchs und auch noch nicht komplett homogen, aber das kann nur geil aussehen, wenn das mal so weit ist. Ich verstehe echt nicht, warum diese Pflanze so wenig Beachtung auf den einschlägigen Kanälen in der Szene findet.

Der Cup war prall gefüllt und die Pflanzen in einem top Zustand.

Kann ich echt nur empfehlen und bin froh, dass ich mich für Ranalsima und gegen Eleocharis mini entschieden habe.

Areen B.
Interesting plant as a ground cover
14th June 2021
Ranalisma rostratum - in Vitro XL
Ranalisma rostratum - in Vitro XL

Wanted to test this plant in my Japan-themed tank. I use it as a ground cover right at the front. The leaves are partly still round - some are long, which makes a nice contrast... (read more)

Translated from German
Show original

Interessante Pflanze als Bodendecker

Wollte diese Pflanze in meinem Japan Themenbecken einmal testen.

Sie ist bei mir als Bodendecker ganz vorne eingesetzt. Die Blätte sind teileweise noch rund - einige sind lang, es macht einen schönen Kontrast zueinander.

Die Pflanze erhält momentan Co2, NPK + Eisen und mind. 5 Stunden Licht.

Ich finde, dass sie im vergleichen zur Rotala Green schneller wächst - also höher. In die breite gehts etwas langsamer. Die Farbe ist ein schönes sattes Grün. Ich hoffe, dass sie den Vordergrund bald schön bedeckt hat.

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