PLNTversePLNTverse
Plants › Moss, terrarium & aquatic

Anubias barteri (Anubias barteri)

Anubias barteri is an aquatic epiphytic herb with a creeping rhizome; it can grow fully submerged or emersed in high humidity.

LightSources differ, but low to moderate light is described as more suitable; the plant tolerates different light levels, while avoiding direct exposure to very strong light can reduce the risk of algae accumulating on its sl
WaterIt is reported to grow fully submerged and to adapt to emersed conditions with high humidity; aquarium cultivation generally calls for stable water quality and good water flow.
TemperatureSources differ, with few sources placing the minimum at about 20 °C. Few sources indicate an ideal range of about 20–28 °C and a maximum of about 28 °C.
Track your Anubias barteri in the PLNTverse app
Anubias barteri illustration

Overview

Anubias barteri is an aquatic epiphytic herb with a creeping rhizome; it can grow fully submerged or emersed in high humidity.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on accounts of its native range: Anubias barteri is native to West Africa, with literature covering Nigeria, Cameroon, Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Congo, while 'Petite' is of cultivated origin rather than a wild taxon with its own natural native range. It occurs in flowing aquatic habitats and has a robust, creeping, firmly rooted rhizome that can anchor to surfaces such as rock or wood.

Characteristics

Sources differ, with few sources indicating a mature height of about 3–5 cm. It grows slowly and has upright, hairless, highly variable leaves that species descriptions characterize as ovate to ovate-lanceolate with tapering tips. It is reported to have an inflorescence consisting of a green spathe and a slender cylindrical spadix. The spathe is reported to become rolled around the fruit when fruiting.

Light

Sources differ, but low to moderate light is described as more suitable; the plant tolerates different light levels, while avoiding direct exposure to very strong light can reduce the risk of algae accumulating on its slow-growing leaves. It is reported to tolerate low light.

Watering

It is reported to grow fully submerged and to adapt to emersed conditions with high humidity; aquarium cultivation generally calls for stable water quality and good water flow.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources differ, with few sources placing the minimum at about 20 °C. Few sources indicate an ideal range of about 20–28 °C and a maximum of about 28 °C.

Growing medium and mounting

It is reported not to require burial in the substrate and is better attached to hardscape such as rocks or driftwood; when substrate is used, the rhizome should remain above its surface. It is rhizomatous.

Propagation

It can be propagated by dividing the rhizome or separating side shoots.

Common problems

A rhizome covered by substrate may rot, and because growth is slow, leaves can accumulate algae more readily under strong light.

Identification

It has a thick, creeping, firmly rooted rhizome and notably variable leaf shapes; in cultivation, the rhizome is best kept at the substrate surface rather than buried.

Photos

Anubias barteri
📷 en:User:Tsunamicarlos · Public domain · source
Anubias barteri
📷 Carnat Joel, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY · source
Anubias barteri
📷 Tocekas, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · CC BY-SA · source

Sources