Persicaria sp. Sao Paulo

Persicaria sp. ‘Sao Paulo’ is a vibrant but botanically unidentified aquatic plant from Brazil, prized in aquascaping for its intense magenta coloration. However, a major caveat in the trade is that it is frequently confused with a similar species, and its exact scientific identity remains undetermined.

Origin and Identification

• Origin: Believed to be native to the region around São Paulo, Brazil .

• Scientific Status: This is a cultivar with an unknown species name. Sources consistently state "the correct species name of this knotweed is still in the dark" .

• Confusion in Trade: It is often mixed up with Persicaria sp. 'Kawagoeanum'. To identify the true 'Sao Paulo', look for intense magenta leaves along the entire stem and young leaves that curve downward .

   Physical Appearance

• Color: Produces intensely magenta/purple leaves under strong light, unlike the green emersed form .

• Growth Habit: Strictly upright vertical growth (resembling bamboo), reaching 30-40 cm in height . Lateral shoots also grow upright rather than bushy .

• Emersed Form: When grown out of water (paludarium), it turns a wine red-purple and readily produces flower stems .

  Aquarium Care & Parameters

• Difficulty: Medium. It is demanding and not suitable for low-light tanks .

• Light: High to medium (essential for red coloration) .

• Temperature: 22–28 °C (tolerant range: 18–30 °C) .

• pH: 5 – 7 .

• CO2: Required (20–40 mg/l) .

• Fertilization: Requires ample iron and phosphate levels (≥1 mg/l) for maximal coloration .