Please help ID these plant

aquarist said:

Second plant to me looks like it could be either one of those, why do you learn more towards the Bangladesh over the Araguaia? Do they have slightly different leaf shapes? Just trying to educate myself on what are some key things to look at when you have a close ID like this one seems to be. I have some Crypts that look very similar to each other but I think are four different species when I go to ID them or any future plant any advice on what you are looking at to help determine it is Bangladesh versus Araguaia would be very helpful.

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They are of the same basic color scheme and are of course the same species, but that's where the similarities end.

Araguaia has a relatively neat growth habit, leaves that curve downward a bit, somewhat blunter leaf tips and a tendency to blacken and stunt when it's not happy. It's that last part that makes it uncommon in the hobby; not that many people actually have it! It seems that the two have gotten confused and Bangladesh has been traded as Araguaia.

Bangladesh is much more flaccid and weedy. Also easier to grow.

Araguaia:



Bangladesh:



It's a widespread species (most of the tropics) with hundreds of local races, many of which occur together. But these two are not really that hard to differentiate.