Scientific name
Anubias Schott
Common names
none
Family
Araceae
Similar genera
Aridarum, Bucephalandra, Lagenandra, Ooia, Peliosanthes, Piptospatha
Native distribution
West Africa
Species cultivated
Anubias afzelii Schott
A. barteri Schott
A. gigantea A. Chev.
A. gilletii De Wild. & T. Durand
A. gracilis A. Chev.
A. hastifolia Engl.
A. heterophylla Engl.
A. pynaertii de Wild.
Adventive distribution
none
Weed status
not weedy
Habit
emergent, amphibious, creeping, broad leaved plant
Brief description
Slow-growing perennial. Roots produced along creeping rhizome. Leaves alternate, petiolate, sheathed basally; leaf blade ovate to lanceolate, venation with lateral veins appearing parallel; base cordate to deeply sagittate; margin entire or slightly undulate. Inflorescence a spadix, subtended by a spathe; spathe convolute, tubular or open almost to base, not twisted; spadix of variable length. Flowers unisexual; perianth absent. Dispersal by seed or stem fragments.
Natural habitat
marshes, stream and river banks, often shaded
Additional comments
Although eight species are recognized, there are numerous subspecies and cultivated varieties and hybrids available in the trade. Anubias barteri var. angustifolia (Engl.) W. Crusio has previously been sold as A. afzelii.
