Undemanding grass-like plant
Narrow, light green to reddish leaves
Fast propagation by runners
 
This narrow-leaved Vallisneria is produced by the nursery Aquaflora (Netherlands) as "Vallisneria rubra". However it is not the Australian species Vallisneria rubra (also known as Maidenia rubra), a totally different stem plant. We label the plant provisionally as Vallisneria sp. "Rubra" as long as its species identity is unclear. With its only few millimeters broad, tapering leaves it resembles Vallisneria nana. Good lighting provided, the leaves take on a reddish coloration. They reach a length of at least 35 cm.
Generally, Vallisnerias are undemanding plants. At least moderate lighting and good nutrient supply are recommendable. The plant propagates itself by its runners. Newly appearing runners can be removed if the plant is spreading too much in the aquarium.
With its narrow, grass-like, light green to reddish leaves, Vallisneria sp. "Rubra" looks decorative in the background, midground and at the sidewalls of not too small aquariums.