Staurogyne repens (more about it here) is a fresh green, compact and hardy plant for the foreground of the aquarium. Its nearest relative in the aquaristic is Hygrophila but Staurogyne repens is different with its marked compact, low and bushy stature and small green leaves.

In 2005, we received this plant from an aquarist and later, also Tropica visited the habitat of Staurogyne repens. Here, Staurogyne repens grew on rocks in the River Rio Cristalino in Mato Grosso in the southern Amazonas. DNA analyses reveal that Staurogyne repens is closely related to Hygrophila which is also present in South America.

Staurogyne repens is a fresh looking green plant with stiff brownish stems. The leaves are relatively small as compared to the Hygrophila genus, in particular, when under water. Staurogyne repens also grows somewhat slower than the known species of Hygrophila. The sales pot resembles that of Hygrophila with upright stems but Staurogyne repens also have several horizontal stems produced at the basis of the plant.

It is particularly under water that Staurogyne repens differs from the known species of Hygrophila. Staurogyne repens is suitable for the foreground and middle ground of the aquarium. During planting in the aquarium, the longest upright shoots should be cut off and each pot should be divided into 2 to 4 pieces which are then planted close to each other in a small group. The emergent leaves will eventually die-off when under water and these may also be removed during planting. By doing so, the low compact growth form is maintained. In the aquarium, Staurogyne repens develops new horizontally creeping shoots from the plant basis which soon form a beautiful carpet. The ability makes it an ideal plant for the foreground.