Barclaya motleyi

Barclaya motleyi is native to the shaded, slow-moving forest streams of Borneo and the Malaysian peninsula, growing in very soft, acidic, warm water under dense canopy. It is significantly rarer in cultivation than Barclaya longifolia and differs in producing broader, more clearly ovate leaves with a strongly pronounced midrib and lateral veining visible through the olive-green to brownish leaf surface. The plant grows from a compact, robust rhizome and produces leaves on short petioles.

This is one of the most challenging Barclaya species to maintain long-term, requiring precisely soft, acidic water (pH 5.5–6.5, GH below 6), warm temperatures (26–30°C), and moderate shaded lighting. It is highly sensitive to hard or alkaline water, which causes rapid deterioration and leaf loss. For the specialist aquarist who can meet these demands consistently, B. motleyi is a uniquely rewarding specimen — there is nothing else quite like it in the hobby.

As with all Barclaya species, the rhizome should be planted shallowly in a fine, nutrient-rich substrate and left undisturbed once established. Patience is required during the initial acclimatisation period.

Light: Low to medium diffused (20–50 PAR); strong light is detrimental. CO2: Strongly recommended; soft acidic water with CO2 closely mimics natural habitat. Fertilisation: Root tabs only — very dilute; do not dose hard liquid fertilisers. Placement: Showpiece midground specimen; best in a dedicated soft-water planted tank. Propagation: Rhizome division only — very slow; cleistogamous seeds rarely produced.