Plant · GBIF taxon 2869214
Cryptocoryne wendtii
Cryptocoryne wendtiiAlso known as Wendt's Water Trumpet, 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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Near ThreatenedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNear ThreatenedRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Herbivorous fish
- Aquatic snails
- Crayfish
ThreatsHabitat degradation, agricultural runoff, and wild over-collection
HabitatsTropical streams, rivers, and shaded marshy banks
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAlismatales
- FamilyAraceae
- GenusCryptocoryne
- SpeciesCryptocoryne wendtii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- 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.
Frequent Companion 
Close Relative (c) Jan D. Bastmeijer, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-saClose Relative Close Relative
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