Red cabomba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red cabomba |
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_flowers_(27695860894).jpg) |
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| Flowers | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cabomba
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| Species: |
furcata
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| Synonyms | |
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Cabomba piauhyensis |
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Cabomba furcata is a beautiful aquatic plant known by its common names, red cabomba and forked fanwort. It belongs to the water shield family. This plant naturally grows in South America, reaching as far north as Cuba and the very tip of Florida in the United States. It can grow to be between 30 and 80 centimeters tall and up to 8 centimeters wide. You can spot its pretty purple flowers!
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What is Red Cabomba?
Red cabomba is a type of plant that lives completely underwater. It has delicate, feathery leaves that look a bit like a fan, which is why it's sometimes called "forked fanwort." The plant gets its reddish color, especially in good light, from special pigments.
Where Does Red Cabomba Live?
This plant is native to warm, tropical areas. You can find it growing naturally in freshwater habitats across South America. It also grows in the Caribbean, like in Cuba, and in the southernmost part of Florida. It prefers calm or slow-moving water, often in ponds, lakes, and rivers.
Growing Red Cabomba in Aquariums
Many people love to use Cabomba furcata as a plant in their aquariums. Its vibrant colors and unique leaf shape make it a popular choice for decorating fish tanks. However, it needs special care to grow well.
- Light: Red cabomba needs a lot of bright light to thrive and show its best colors.
- Nutrients: It also needs regular plant food, called fertilizer, to get all the nutrients it needs.
- Carbon Dioxide: Often, extra carbon dioxide (CO2) is added to the water. This helps the plant grow faster and healthier, especially with high light levels.
Is Red Cabomba an Invasive Plant?
Sometimes, a plant or animal can be introduced to a new area and start to grow out of control. When this happens, it's called an invasive species. Cabomba furcata has been reported as an invasive species in some places, like Kerala, India. This means it started growing so much that it might cause problems for the local plants and animals there.
