Madagascar laceleaf (Aponogeton madagascariensis), although endangered in its wild habitat, is commonly grown in aquariums. Its unique leaves, as well as its ability to grow to a large size, make it popular with aquarium owners. The name “laceleaf” comes from an intricate pattern featuring square holes between veins that water can pass through. The process by which the leaf tissue between veins is removed is interesting biologically, and was recently featured in Nature Plants based on an article by Dauphinee et al. in Planta. The young leaves produce ROS (reactive oxygen species) to prompt cell death in all the “windows”, and anthocyanins to combat the ROS in the veined areas where tissue is to be maintained. Once mature, they stop producing both anthocyanins and ROS, and turn green.
--Erin Patterson