Family: Alismataceae
Common name: Spade-leaf sword, Creeping burhead, Burhead, Creeping water plantain, Lance-leaf burhead, Radican sword, Banana plant, Texas mud baby
Spade-leaf sword is a beautiful aquatic plant that can be grown in aquariums, as well as small ponds and water bodies. They are loved by gardeners and landscape artists for their dark green glossy leaves, and beautiful white flowers.
Plant characteristics
These plants can grow emersed, with just the roots in water, or submersed, with the entire plant under water. When grown in aquariums, it can fill containers very quickly unless the larger leaves are removed frequently. When grown in ponds or small water bodies, these plants can grow and spread very quickly.
They can grow to a height of 1-1.5 meters with their long green flower spikes climbing onto surrounding vegetation.
The stem is short and sometimes underground, providing strength and support for the plant while growing in water. These submerged stems or rhizomes help the plant to spread quickly, producing new leaves from it.
Spade-leaf sword plants get their name from their beautiful, glossy spade or heart-shaped leaves with beautiful parallel venation. They are 20-30 cm long and about as wide, broad and rounded at the base and tapering slightly towards the tip.
Leaves are mostly green, but there is a variant with marbled leaves as well. These leaves grow in a rosette pattern from the base and have a smooth waxy coating to prevent water damage.
When moving the plant from shallow water to a submerged tank, the old leaves will fall off and new ones will emerge that are suited to being under water.
Spade-leaf sword plants have very beautiful, delicate, white flowers that are produced at the nodes of long, slender green flower spikes that can grow over a meter tall.
They are 1-2 cm in diameter and are produced in dense clusters. Though these flowers are short-lived, their beauty attracts various pollinators that assist in fertilization.
The flowers look like small fried eggs, having 3 white petals with wavy edges and a yellow center displaying prominent stamens.
Fruits of the Spade-leaf sword plant are small and inconspicusous and are not very commonly seen in house plants. These fruits produce small, hard seeds that are dispersed by water to new locations where they can take root.
Gardening tips
Spade-leaf sword plants need good sunlight, even if they are grown in aquariums. The leaves tend to grow well when they are in bright, direct sunlight, and the plant also blooms in plenty.
They need nutrient-rich soil, though these plants are capable of surviving in the wild, in small canals or ponds that are neglected. When planting in aquariums, make sure the plant has enough space to grow and spread out.
They are ideal for small ponds where their broad leaves can provide protection and shade for small fishes. When grown in aquariums, make sure the plant does not crowd the aquarium too much taking up too much oxygen. The roots should have enough soil to spread out, so that they can absorb the necessary nutrients.
Uses of Spade-leaf sword plant
These plants are mostly grown as ornamentals in aquariums and water bodies where they provide aesthetic value, as well as protection for fishes. They help in improving the water quality of the aquarium.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, stem cuttings, and root division.
Since the seeds are not produced abundantly, it is best to propagate the plant through stem cuttings or root division. Long rhizomatous roots can be pulled out gently from the soil, cut using a sharp knife, and replanted.
Photographed at: Bangalore International Center; Thrissur, Kerala
