Rotala Mexicana

[Jeff120]

This looks very much like the Pogostemon sp. (AKA Rotala verticillaris) to me. Even side by side I cant tell much of a difference. The span across seems a little smaller. The Pogo side shoots much more and grows more robust. We'll have to flower it I guess!

[Cavan]

Look at the grooves that go up the sides of the stem. Same as Goias and the others. Easy way to tell.

[Judi]

Anyone else have this running through their head now?

Well, the Glotz, you will notice, has lots of black spots. The Klotz is quite different with lots of black dots. But the big problem is that the spots on a Glotz are about the same size as the dots on a Klotz. So you first have to spot who the one with the dots is. then it's easy to tell who the Klotz or the Glotz is.

OK, probably not. I have been reading entirely too much Dr. Seuss lately. And yes, I do need to get out more.

Seriously, though, tell more about the grooves. What would the difference be between these two species?

[krisw]

Jeff, for me, I have R. mexicana 'green' and R. verticillaris (Pogostemon sp) growing in the same tank and they look nothing alike. The Pogostemon sp. has far more compact growth, more leaves per whorl, much shorter leaves. In truth, my R. mexicana looks more like R. sp. 'Nanjanshen' then the other.

OT: Jeff, what gives, I see algae on some of those leaves. This moving stuff must really be getting you down!

[Jeff120]

I have the grooves on the Pogo as well. I think your right Kris, the pogo has the nodes much closer together.

Algae! Non sense! LOL, I do have a little GSA in there, but its now under control!