What Plant Has Needle Like Green And Pink Leaves?

[betta fish]

Hi all, I purchased this lovely plant in my lfs yesterday but not quite sure on the ID of it as they did not have any labels on, anyone know what it is?

 

[Baccus]

my guess would be Needle Ludwigia

 

[betta fish]

Hi Baccus thank you for your response I have been doing more research and looking at photos online needle Ludwigia seems to have bigger leaves than what my plant has, the closest I can find is Rotala mexicana belem but this plant appears to be rare? there were a fair few bunches in the shop and they were cheap so I guess it can't be that can it? 

 

[Baccus]

I was going to also suggest rotala, but I was actually running out of time and needed to be off the computer.

These following links are the three rotala that I can find from a company I know that harvests and grows their own for sale. The only trouble is from memory when I had Rotala Mexicana the leaves I am sure where shorter than your plant pictured.

http/www.aquagreen.com.au/plant_data/Rotala_occultiflora.html

http/www.aquagreen.com.au/plant_data/Rotala_mexicana.html

http/www.aquagreen.com.au/plant_data/Rotala_mexicana.html

There is another plant it reminds me of, the name is on the tip of my mind, I just cant nail it down.

I don't think it would be either of these Milfoils, but better to explore all possibilities and you can compare and rule out with the plant in front of you
http/www.aquagreen.com.au/plant_data/Myriophyllum_dicoccum.html

http/www.aquagreen.com.au/plant_data/Myriophyllum_muricatum.html



Still not the plant I was thinking off but this might be getting on the right track
http/www.aquagreen.com.au/plant_data/Najas_tenuifolia.html

To help with Id do the leaves grow in a whorl around the stem or do the grow as opposites or alternates?

 

[betta fish]

Hi, thank you, I'm pretty sure looking at those links it is indeed Rotala Mexicana the leaves are in a whorl around the stem, hoping I can keep it alive! I've split the bunch and have placed it in 3 different tanks one with slightly softer water and will see how it does 

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Have you also checked out  pictures of Pogostemon stellatus/Eusteralis? Narrow leaf variety perhaps? Google "Pogostemon stellatus"

 

[betta fish]

Hi, just had a look and it appears similar still thinking it looks a bit more like Rotala, it's not doing too great in my tank it's still alive and is growing but the new growth is weak and bright green, I assume my lighting isn't up to scratch or perhaps co2 as heard it needs quite a bit, I have diy co2 on the tank and my drop checker is green but the tank is shaded from lots of duckweed and water lettuce 

 

[TwoTankAmin]

High light isn't high light when the surfaces has lots of floating plants blocking the light.
 

 
Pogostemon stellata from Asia and Australia is distinguished by its beautiful shape and colour. Stems from 20-60 cm and up to 10 cm wide. It is difficult to grow in aquariums. It requires intensive light and the addition of CO2 to grow well. The shortage of micronutrients leads to pale leaves, which may be an indication that the aquarium needs fertiliser. Even in good conditions growth sometimes stops suddenly. Plants in aquarium shops are generally low, compact plants grown in marshy conditions, and do not reveal their full glory until planted in the aquarium.

from http/tropica.com/en/plants/plantdetails/Pogostemonstellata%28053G%29/4498