Bucephalandra pandora queen

Overview

Bucephalandra 'Pandora Queen' is a slow-growing, epiphytic aquatic plant originating from Borneo (Indonesia) . It is a member of the Araceae family  and is considered an easy plant, suitable for beginners in aquascaping, paludariums, or terrariums . It is often described as rare and highly sought after by collectors due to its unique coloration .

Scientific Identification

• Scientific Name: Bucephalandra sp. ''pandora queen'' 

• Common Name: Pandora Queen 

• Family: Araceae 

Key Features & Appearance

• Leaf Morphology: The plant features small, thick, and sturdy leaves (usually 1-3 cm in size) . The leaf shape can vary from oval to long oval or even rounder forms depending on whether it is grown emersed or submerged . The leaf edges may exhibit a slight wave or "frizzle" .

• Coloration: This plant is prized for its intense color variation.

  • Mature Leaves: Can range from green and dark green to blue, brown, reddish-brown, or almost black .

  • New Growth: New leaves often emerge in striking shades of yellow-green, orange-red, red, or reddish-brown, providing a strong contrast .

  • Iridescence: Under optimal lighting, the leaves can display an iridescent shimmer with blue, violet, or purple hues .

• Growth Habit: It has a compact, clumping growth form with a creeping rhizome (red in color) . It is a very slow grower .

Habitat and Origin

• Distribution: It is native to Borneo. Specific collection points mentioned include the Kedagang region in West Kalimantan  and possibly the Sintang area . It grows along the banks of clear, fast-flowing streams in tropical rainforests .

Care and Maintenance in Aquariums

Here are the optimal parameters for keeping this plant healthy:

Propagation

Propagation is simple and is done by cutting the rhizome .

• Use sharp scissors to cut the thick horizontal stem (rhizome) into sections.

• Ensure each new section has at least 3-4 leaves and a healthy root system .

• Attach the new piece to driftwood or rock using super glue gel or cotton thread until it anchors itself naturally .

Important Notes

• Do not bury the rhizome: If the rhizome is covered by substrate, it will rot and the plant will die .

• Transitioning: When moving from emersed (grown out of water) to submerged growth, the plant may pause growth or lose some leaves while it adapts. This is normal .