{{Short description|Species of aquatic plant}} {{Speciesbox |image = |genus = Cryptocoryne |species = affinis |authority = [[N. E. Brown|N.E.Br.]]<ref>{{cite web |url= https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:86656-1 |title= Cryptocoryne affinis N.E.Br. |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=n.d. |website=Plants of the World Online |publisher=The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |access-date=June 25, 2022}}</ref> |synonyms = ''Cryptocoryne haerteliana'' <small>Jacobsen ex Millkuhn.</small> }}

'''''Cryptocoryne affinis''''' is a plant [[species]] belonging to the [[Araceae]] [[genus]] ''[[Cryptocoryne]]''.

==Distribution== SW Malay Peninsula (Pahang), sometimes occurs in part of Perak state.{{Cn|date=May 2021}}

==Description== Long lanceolate leaves 6–12 inches (15–30&nbsp;cm) long with an attractive bluish-green upper surface, a light green midrib and side nerves. The underside of the leaves is a deep reddish purple. The leaf stems are short in proportion to the leaf blade.

Several forms are sold in the [[aquarium]] trade differing in colour and serration of the leaf edge. Variable dependent on how it is grown and light levels. Leaves dark green above and purple to violet beneath.

Flowers may be produced even when grown completely submersed. The [[inflorescence]] reaches about 10 inches (25&nbsp;cm) with the [[spathe]] elongated into a purple-red, spirally-coiled blade.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cryptocoryne affinis |url=https://www.flowgrow.de/db/aquaticplants/cryptocoryne-affinis |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=Flowgrow |language=en}}</ref>

==Cultivation== Considered easy to cultivate. Reluctant to flower even in emersed culture. The leaves are darker in shady conditions and it will grow in moderate light in the aquarium. Doesn't seem to be fussy as to water conditions and is fine in normal tropical aquarium temperatures : 72–79F (22–26C). One of the hardiest of all the Cryptocoryne's in cultivation. Subject to 'Crypt melt' (see genus page). Sensitive to calcium and [[hard water]].<ref>Rataj Dr Karel and Horeman T. J., Aquarium Plants, TFH Publications (1977)</ref>

Propagates well by runners.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-30 |title=Cryptocoryne affinis |url=https://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptocoryne/Gallery/aff/aff.html |access-date=2023-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630073129/https://crypts.home.xs4all.nl/Cryptocoryne/Gallery/aff/aff.html |archive-date=2022-06-30 }}</ref>

Introduced to Europe by Herman Haertel, a German importer.<ref>Roe, Colin D., A Manual of Aquarium Plants, Shirley Aquatics (1967)</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20071022043352/http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/Cryptocoryne/Gallery/aff/aff.html Crypts pages illustrations ''C. affinis'' + literature] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20061014110013/http://www.fnzas.org.nz/plant_survey/aquarium_plants/?user_plants=31&cHash=4036dd10c8 Common Crypt]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q4241194}}

[[Category:Cryptocoryne|affinis]] [[Category:Aquatic plants]] [[Category:Taxa named by N. E. Brown]]