i have a unknown plant in my tank. and no one seems to know what it is..?

Question

i got this plant at pet smart, and the person there didn't know what it was, it sprouts a white flower with a sweet smell, at least it did when i got it, and i think it looks like a peace lily, but everyone keeps telling me its not. so i personally have no clue ether, i've also been told a peace lily can't live under water like this but it seems to be thriving, and has about 15 new stems coming out, and only had the 5 large one's when i got it... here are a few pic's of it.

http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s118/loganwil2/?action=view¤t=P8050001-1.jpg
http://s150.photobucket.com/albums/s118/loganwil2/?action=view¤t=P8050002.jpg

this has been bugging me for a while and i would like to know what it is so maybe i can get a few more for another tank, my fish seem to really like it and its seems to really like it to hehe..

Answer 1

Check out this site, it may have a picture of your plant:
http://www.aquariumplants.com

Answer 2

That is a peace lily (Spathiphyllum), and you're correct that it's not an aquatic plant. The roots don't mind the moisture, but if the leaves are underwater, the plant will eventually die. That's why responsible stores don't sell it, and websites consider it an aquarium plant that should be boycotted (along with many others sold under the guise of "aquarium plant" which will live for about 6 months in an aquarium): http://faq.thekrib.com/plant-list.html

A better choice that will do better in an aquarium even in less than ideal lighting is a Java fern: http://www.neptuneaquatics.com/images/Java%20Fern.jpg which also has somewhat broad leaves, and most fish don't care to eat it.

Answer 3

Very rarely, Amazon Sword Plants sprout flowers above the water's surface. The plant looks like an Amazon Sword, but I doubt it is. I think the pet store sold you a regular plant that won't grow underwater because they need more money.

~ZTM

Answer 4

there is a reason some pet shops sell such plants, which can live only half a year under water:
many cichlids tend to eat or otherwise destroy real aquatic or swamp plants but leave plants like this one alone so it would be cheaper for the owner to buy non-aquatic plants once every six months.

still, all german pet shops i know warn that those aren't real aquatic plants.

Answer 5

That is a type of water lily. I forget exactly what they call it but you are right that is is a lilly. They are related to easter lilies, but they can take much more water. If you really want to find the exact term go to ask.com and type in lillies.

Answer 6

lol, it is a peace lily, i dont quite understand how they live underwater though...