Floscopa scandens has only recently been discovered as a species for planted aquaria. Its natural habitat extends from Bhutan, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Oceania to Northern-Australia.

From the Latin flos – flower; scoparie – like a broom: a reference to the flower spike in some species. scandens = climbing.

 

Flowering Floscopa scandens

Flowering Floscopa scandens

This monocotyledon prefers wet to swampy habitats along streams and rivers.

When I received a few shoots of Floscopa scandens in winter 2010 from H.G. Kramer, I was curious. Both habit and shape of this recent addition to the palette of aquarium plants are quite new and unique.

If any, the closest resemblance is with another Commelinaceae which we sell under name of "Athraxon". Floscopa belongs in the same family but is much bigger than Athraxon. It is almost never available in shops as its is not grown commercially in large quantities yet. Even among specialists it is a rare plant and its debut in aquascaping contests has yet to happen.

So, I wondered what I was to expect from this new and intriguing plant. My first guess was that this would be a specialist's plant which would probably thrive in aquaria with lots of CO2 and soft water, in the company of Tonina, Eriocaulon etc.

Floscopa scandens

Floscopa scandens in the aquarium

As always, patience was required. Plant and wait is the name of the game. After two weeks, the Floscopa started to grow. At 25°C, in rainwater, blended with 5% of hard Münsteranian tap water, 25°C and around 35mg/l CO2 in a quite ordinary but densely planted Dutch style "Gezelschapsaquarium". At first, growth was slow but it picked up quickly and after about 6 weeks I was able to cut and replant some of the tips.
The new cutting took root quickly and continued growing, while the stems which had remained produced several shoots at the leaf bases. A certain sense of pleasure ensued. Nice one - this was putting my top 10 worst failures in perspective. I was surprised both by the medium but steady growth rate and the ability to produce numerous side shoots readily. After about 3 months I had a beautifully dense and rewarding stand of plants which looked absolutely beautiful. I am still surprised how suitable Floscopa is as an aquarium plant.

There is a striking resemblance with Tradenscanthia (which belongs in the same family), a well-known trailing house plant. I think this constitutes a real novelty among aquarium plants. I am sure that, due to its excellent use as an aquarium plant and medium to fast growth under normal conditions, this plant has a great career as a commercial species ahead of itself. It really isn't the diva I suspected it to be at first but a reliable character with lots of charisma.

I am currently trying to find a nursery who will grow this plant for me. I can spare the occasional cutting so contact me if you're interested.

 

Cpoyright of images:

Image 1: Courtesy of Wild Wings and Swampy Things
Image 2: Stephan Mönninghoff