Ozelot

About

The Echinodorus 'Ozelot' is a cultivated hybrid, bred from a cross between Echinodorus schluteri 'Leopard' and Echinodorus 'Barthii', and it earns its exotic name from the dark elliptical spots that pattern its red-brown leaves. What sets this plant apart from other spotted sword-type plants is that the spotting persists even under low-light conditions. Most similar cultivars fade to plain green when light is reduced, but 'Ozelot' holds onto its markings reliably. The spots are most vivid and darkest on new growth, so a healthy, actively growing plant will always have a mix of richly marked young leaves alongside the broader, more mature foliage. Growing into a broad rosette that can span a considerable width, it works well as a background or midground anchor in larger aquariums, where its size and bold patterning give a planted tank real visual weight. As cultivars go, this one is genuinely forgiving. It tolerates a wide range of conditions and asks very little of the keeper, making it one of the better choices for someone newer to planted tanks who still wants something with a bit more character than a plain green sword.