Fauna
Plant

Wendt's Water Trumpet

Cryptocoryne wendtii

Also known as Crypt Wendtii

Wendt's water trumpet thrives in shaded, fast-flowing tropical streams across Sri Lanka, anchoring into muddy banks with a robust root system. Its foliage ranges dramatically in color from bright green to deep rusty bronze, adapting readily to both fully submerged and emergent marsh conditions. When stressed by sudden water chemistry changes, the plant quickly sheds its leaves before regrowing vigorously from subterranean rhizomes.

Aquatic PlantSri Lankan NativeArum Family
Wendt's Water Trumpet reference1 / 2
(c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Herbivorous fish
  • Aquatic snails
  • Crayfish
ThreatsHabitat degradation, agricultural runoff, and wild over-collection
HabitatsTropical streams, rivers, and shaded marshy banks
Life spanPerennial
Classification
  1. OrderAlismatales
  2. FamilyAraceae
  3. GenusCryptocoryne
  4. SpeciesCryptocoryne wendtii
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals; do not ingest and keep away from curious pets.
Why it is dangerous
Tissues contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate oral pain, swelling, and digestive upset if chewed.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by lanceolate, often wavy-edged leaves emerging from a central rosette in aquatic habitats.
What to do
Do not ingest any part of the plant, and wash hands after pruning submerged leaves.
What to notice
Look for lance-shaped, bronze to green leaves growing in or alongside tropical freshwater streams.
Support conservation
Source plants exclusively from nursery-propagated commercial stock rather than wild harvest.
Responsible observation
  • Substrate Planting: Root firmly in rich aquatic soil or gravel supplemented with root fertilizer tabs.
  • Maintain Stability: Avoid sudden shifts in light or water parameters to prevent leaf loss.
Related species
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