Tiger Lotus

Nymphaea lotus — known in the hobby as tiger lotus or Egyptian water lily — is a bulbous aquatic plant in the family Nymphaeaceae, native to East Africa (including Egypt) and distributed across Southeast Asia. Two primary forms are cultivated: the red tiger lotus with distinctive red-spotted foliage, and the green-leaved variety. Plants grow from a bulb, initially producing small submerged leaves that progressively enlarge. To preserve the attractive underwater leaf phase, emerging floating leaves should be promptly removed before they divert the plant's energy to surface growth. Submerged leaves in vivid red to bronze tones create a striking focal point in mid to background positions. CO2 supplementation is not required, but vigorous root uptake means that root-tab fertilization delivers substantial benefits. Due to its potential size, it is best suited to larger aquaria where its dramatic presence can be fully appreciated.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Root tabs