INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Aquatic Horticultural Award Program (AHAP)
is to promote the keeping and propagation of aquatic plants, aid
in the recognition of plant species, encourage research, through
the growth and propagation of different species, recognize achievements
of individuals through awards, and disseminate information through
GPASI’s Finformation and through the general meetings.
AQUATIC PLANT DEFINED
An aquatic plant is one that exists in a submerged or floating
state as a normal occurrence at some time during the course of
any one complete growing season. Freshwater algae are not eligible
for inclusion in the program. Marine macro algae are eligible,
but marine micro algae are not eligible.
RESOURCES FOR AQUATIC PLANT IDENTIFICATION
The main identification books which will be used for the AHAP
program will be Baensch Aquarium Atlas volumes 1-3, Aquarium
Plants by Kristel Kasselmann and The Plants of Pennsylvania
by Ann Fowler Rhoads & Timothy A. Block. Back up books will
be Tropica Catalogue Aquarium Plants - A Complete Introduction
by Holger Windelov published by T.F.H. and A Fishkeepers Guide
to Aquarium Plants by Barry James published by Tetra Press.
Other references will be used as necessary for the identification
of species.
THE AHAP COMMITTEE
The AHAP Chair shall be appointed by the GPASI President, and
the remaining members shall be appointed by the AHAP Chair.
Function of the AHAP Committee
To oversee and enforce all rules and regulations governing AHAP,
awarding points to qualifying members, maintaining records and
presenting awards. The AHAP rules and regulations shall be reviewed
and revised when necessary.
AHAP Checkers
Any person on the AHAP committee may verify the species of a submitted
plant and any flowerings or sexual propagation, with the AHAP
chair having final approval.
*** The AHAP Chair reserves the right to reject stunted, algae
covered, or unhealthy plants. Additionally, there may only be
one species per bag. ***
Amendments
The AHAP committee may make changes to these rules as they deem
necessary, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.
Changes will be published to GPASI members.
If there are changes to the requirements for completing a Class
or achieving a Level of Accomplishment, the Class or Level awards
already achieved by current participants will not be changed.
If the points listed for a species are revised, any points previously
awarded will not be changed.
ELIGIBILITY
All members in good standing are eligible for AHAP. If any members
should not renew their membership, awarded points will be kept
on an “inactive list” until such time that they renew
their membership.
TRANSFER MEMBERSHIPS–NEW MEMBERS ONLY
Any person joining GPASI and transferring from another club will
be allowed to transfer points from the other club only if that
club's rules meet GPASI’s AHAP criteria. These propagations
must be verified by the transferring club. The points allocated
will follow GPASI's AHAP. Certificates or awards will not be given
for plants previously propagated or Classes already finished in
another club. Full point credit for transferred propagations will
be given toward a member's Level of Achievement.
RULES
AND REQUIREMENTS FOR PROPAGATION
The propagation process must be completed in the manner described
below.
1. Growth that is simply continued growth of obtained plants does
not count! Material turned in for AHAP must be from side shoots,
new stems after trimming, runners or seeds.
2. Regrowth of a seasonal plant does not count as a propagation;
it is simply classified as a new growth (Examples are the Aponogeton
spp.).
3. A sufficient quantity of propagated plants must be turned in
to qualify.
a. For small floating species and creeping shoot species, about
1/2 cup (not including water) must be submitted.
b. For Class G, stem plants, the initial stem count shall be at
least six stems, rooted or unrooted, and must be doubled as determined
by the count of growing stems.
c. Reproducing by means of runners (stolons), rhizomes, adventitious
roots or adventitious shoots, shall be recognized when the following
amount of healthy plants are produced, which are capable of living
independently from the parent plant. Four or more plants for Class
C, three or more plants for Class D and two or more plants for
Class E (except chain swords: they will require four or more plants).
The parent plant must be alive and healthy.
4. All varieties and subspecies will be counted towards the total
point value; however, only one variety or subspecies will count
towards the completion of a class.
5. If the species of a plant or macro-algae is not known, then
the participant may not turn in the same genera without a species
name more than once.
6. If a species is capable of being in multiple classes, then
the participant will indicate which class will be credited
via the AHAP report form.
7. For a species to be recognized for propagation, the participant
must submit a completed AHAP form along with one or all of the
following:
a. Plant or plants donated to the AHAP auction. Even if a plant
is not donated to the AHAP auction, the propagation must still
be visually verified by a member of the AHAP committee.
i. If a plant is not submitted for auction a cash donation (currently:
$3.00) will be required to help defer the cost of certificates
and awards. Amount to be set by the AHAP committee.
b. A written article on the propagation of the species, submitted
for publication in the GPASI Finformation. Proof of propagation
will still be required by means of an AHAP committee visual inspection
or a clear picture of the plant propagated.
c. A five to ten minute oral presentation on the propagation of
the species.
i. At least one month's prior notification to the AHAP Chair is
required before an oral presentation can be scheduled.
ii. Photos or slides would be helpful to other members and are
encouraged, but are not required.
d. Completion of all 3 options (a, b and c) for a species will
result in an additional points being awarded to the participant
equal to the value of the propagation. This means an extra 40
points for a target species.
8. Flowering, after proper verification, shall be awarded points
equal to the amount of the asexual propagation of the particular
species. However, in view of the fact that the difficulty of propagating
a plant is not always the same as the difficulty of getting it
to flower, the exceptions listed below will be awarded 1/2 the
total point value of the asexual propagation of the particular
species.
a. The exceptions are: All Aponogeton species, all Blyxa
species, all Iris species, Eichhornia crassipes,
Sagittaria latifolia.
9. Sexual reproduction will be recognized for one or more plants
reproducing by sexual means from the aquarists own stock. Sexual
propagation will be awarded 1.5 times the value of asexual propagation.
Seeds and reproduced plants must be from the member’s parent
plant(s) and not obtained from a supplier or nursery. The reproduction
of those plants propagating form spores (i.e., ferns and mosses)
will be considered a sexual reproduction and shall be awarded
1.5 times the point value of the asexual propagation of the particular
plant species. In order to get credit for a sexual propagation,
some type of proof (e.g. pictures) will be required.
AWARDS
1. Plant Certificates will be awarded for each species successfully
propagated.
2. Certificates will be given for the completion of each AHAP
Class.
3. A Certificate will be given for the fulfillment of the requirements
for the Level of Accomplishment of Beginning Horticulturalist.
4. Plaques will be given for the fulfillment of the requirements
for each Level of Accomplishment above Beginning Horticulturalist.
5. A Special award will be given for the completion of all classes.
6. To encourage AHAP participants to propagate very difficult
or rare plants, the AHAP Committee will award a plaque for the
propagation of any species from the Target List. The plaque will
be awarded following submission of a completed AHAP report, donation
of the propagated plant for AHAP auction and submission of an
article about the plant and its propagation written for GPASI
publication.
7. A lifetime GPASI membership will be awarded to anyone becoming
a Grand Master Aquatic Horticulturalist. To maintain this title,
the member must give a plant related oral presentation or write
a plant related article at least once each calendar year. The
member must also serve on the AHAP Committee.
8. Other special awards may be given at the discretion of the
AHAP Committee.
LEVELS
OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
Requirements for the levels of accomplishment are as follows:
Novice Aquatic Horticulturalist: a total of 5
to 100 points.
Beginning Aquatic Horticulturalist: a total of
100 points plus the following:
• One completed class.
Aquatic Horticulturist: a total of 200 points
plus the following:
• Two completed classes.
• One flowering or sexual reproduction.
Senior Aquatic Horticulturist: a total of 400
points plus the following:
• Three completed classes.
• Four flowerings.
• One sexual reproduction.
• Two articles, oral presentations, or artworks published
in the newsletter.
• One Target species propagated.
Expert Aquatic Horticulturalist: a total of 1,000
points plus the following:
• Five completed classes.
• Ten flowerings.
• Two sexual reproductions.
• Five articles, oral presentations, or artworks published
in the newsletter.
• Three Target species propagated.
Master Aquatic Horticulturist: a total of 1,800
points plus the following:
• Eight completed classes.
• Twenty flowerings.
• Four sexual reproductions.
• Eight articles, oral presentations, or artworks published
in the newsletter.
• Five Target species propagated.
Grand Master Aquatic Horticulturist: a total
of 2,500 points plus the following:
• Completion of all classes.
• Twenty-five flowerings.
• Eight sexual reproductions.
• Ten articles, oral presentations, or artworks published
in the newsletter.
• Ten Target species propagated.
CLASSES
There are twelve classes A-L. Classes A-H and J-L are determined
by biological types, which are artificial keys to groups of aquatic
plants. They include a combination of factors which include mode
of reproduction, structure and scientific classification. Class
"I" includes all marine plants. Marine plants include
many kinds of algae and a variety of grasses. Additionally, all
species in Classes A-G and I-L must be in submersed form. If a
species is eligible for more than one class, the propagator must
select which class will be credited via the AHAP report form.
Point value assignment
Plants are separated into point categories according to the following
criteria: how difficult a plant is to grow and propagate according
to the AHAP committee, the reputed difficulty of a plant according
to other aquatic gardeners and aquarium literature, and how long
propagation takes. Plants are assigned values of 5, 10, 15, or
20 points, with Targets being valued at 40 points. After the completion
of a class the propagator continues to receive certificates and
points for additional propagations in that class, but no further
certificates will be awarded for that class.
Class
Listings
The number of species required to complete a class are listed
in parenthesis after the class description.
Class A–Most Small Surface & Near Surface Type
Plants (6 species)
Small plants floating on the surface of the water. They typically
have some parts reduced (roots, stems, or leaves) and for nourishment
they are dependent on dissolved matter in the water. They are
free floating and do not root to any substrate.
5 points: All Lemna species, Riccia
fluitans, all Spirodela species, all Wolffia
species, all species not mentioned in other point categories.
10 points: Azolla caroliniana, Limnobium
laevigatum, Limnobium spongia, Limnobium stoloniferum.
15 points: Salvinia auriculata, Salvinia
molesta.
20 points: Salvinia cucullata.
Targets: None.
Class
B–Most Large Surface & Free Floating Type Plants (6
species)
Larger floating plants. Some have floating leaves exposed to the
air and others like Ceratophyllum stay submerged but do not form
true roots.
5 points: All Ceratophyllum species,
all Ceratopterus species, Eichhornia crassipes,
Utricularia gibba.
10 points: Ludwigia helminthorrhiza, Ludwigia
sediodes, all species not mentioned in other point categories.
15 points: All Eichhornia species (except
E. crassipes) Pistia stratiotes.
20 points: All free floating Utricularia
species (except U. gibba).
Targets: Aldrovanda vesiculosa.
Class
C–All Sagittaria & Vallisernia Type Plants (6 species)
These are submersed plants with long leaves which are thread-shaped
or ribbon-shaped, creating a rosette. They root on the bottom
and flower on the surface of the water with the exception of male
Vallisneria flowers.
5 points: All Vallisneria species.
10 points: Eleocharis acicularis, Eleocharis
parvula, Eleocharis vivipara, Sagittaria eatonii, Sagittaria graminea,
Sagittaria subulata, all species not mentioned in other point
categories.
15 points: Blyxa japonica, Subularia aquatica.
20 points: All Blyxa species (except
B. japonica), Cyperus helferi.
Targets: None.
Class
D–All Anubias, Aponogeton & Cryptocoryne Type Plants
(6 species)
Rosette plants with their leaves submersed and with distinct petioles.
5 points: None
10 points: all Cryptocoryne beckettii
varieties, all Cryptocoryne crispatula varieties, all
Cryptocoryne walkeri varieties, all Cryptocoryne
wendtii varieties, all species not mentioned in other point
categories.
15 points: All Anubias species, Aponogeton
ulvaceus, Aponogeton undulatus, all Cryptocoryne
species not mentioned in other point categories.
20 points: All Aponogeton species not
mentioned in other point categories (except A. didistachyus
in Class F), Cryptocoryne elliptica, Cryptocoryne griffithii,
Cryptocoryne jacobsenii, Cryptocoryne lingua, Cryptocoryne nevillii,
Cryptocoryne scurrilis, Cryptocoryne villosa, all Lagenandra
species.
Targets: Aponogeton berierianus, Aponogeton
madagascariensis, Cryptocoryne auriculata, Cryptocoryne bogneri,
Cryptocoryne bullosa, Cryptocoryne nurii, Cryptocoryne schulzei,
Cryptocoryne thwaitesii, Cryptocoryne uenoi, Cryptocoryne versteegii,
all Eriocaulon species, Ottelia alismoides,
Ottelia ulvifolia.
Class
E–All Sword and Crinum Plants (5 species)
Rosette and bulb type plants.
5 points: None.
10 points: Echinodorus tenellus and
all species not mentioned in other point categories.
15 points: Crinum aquatica, Crinum natans,
Crinum thaianum and all Echinodorus species not
mentioned in other point categories.
20 points: Echinodorus portoalegrensis, Samolus
parviflorus.
Targets: Echinodorus subalatus.
Class
F–Water Lily Type Plants (3 species)
Plants which root in the mud with the roots growing from a stout
rootstock. The leaves have long petioles (stems) and they float
on the surface of the water. The flowers are on the surface of
the water, and the fruits sink after ripening.
5 points: Aponogeton distachyus.
10 points: All species not mentioned in other
point categories.
15 points: Barclaya longifolia, all
Nuphar species, all Nymphaea species, Nymphoides
aquatica.
20 points: All Orontium species.
Targets: All Brasenia species.
Class
G–Stem Plants (10 species)
Plants with long stems with leaves which root in the mud. They
are dependent on life in the water, but at the same time can have
contact with the air (floating leaves, immersed part of the stem
and the blossoms). The roots must remain moist, but the stems
can grow in or out of the water. Many aquarium species belong
to this group.
5 points: All Elodea species, Hygrophila
polysperma, Rotala rotundifolia.
10 points: All Hygrophila species not
mentioned in other categories, all species not mentioned in other
point categories.
15 points: Bacopa sp. ‘Colorata’,
Cabomba caroliniana, Hemigraphis traian, Hygrophila balsamica,
Juncus repens, Ludwigia arcuata, Ludwigia glandulosa, all
Myriophyllum species, Rotala sp.‘Colorata’,
Rotala pusilla, Rotala sp. ‘Nanjenshan’.
20 points: All Ammania species (except
A. latifolia), Cabomba aquatica, Eichhornia diversifolia,
Eichhornia azurea, Hottonia palustris, Ludwigia sp. ‘Guinea’,
Nesaea pedicillata, Penthorum sedoides, Rotala ramosior, Rotala
sp.‘Goias’, Rotala sp. ‘Vietnam’.
Targets: Ammania latifolia, Cabomba furcata,
Egleria fluctuans, Hemianthus callitrichoides, Hygrophila
sp. ‘red’, all Ludwigia inclinata varieties,
Pogostemon helferi, Pogostemon stellatus, Rotala
wallichii, Rotala macrandra, Nesaea sp ‘red’,
all Tonina species.
Class
H–Most Bog Type Plants (8 species)
Shore plants living only in the partly emerged and terrestrial
phases and bog plants. They typically have a short submerged stage.
Normally grows with the water level below the surface, but the
roots must reach the water level. The leaves are normally out
of the water, but can tolerate being submerged for prolonged periods
of time.
5 points: All Iris species, Sparganium
species.
10 points: All species not mentioned in other
point categories.
15 points: Limnacharis flava.
20 points: None.
Targets: Regnellidium diphyllum.
Class
I–All Marine Plants (3 Green, 1 Red, 1 Brown, 2 vascular)
Marine Macroalga (Green, Red & Brown) and Grasses. Macroalga
are large enough to be easily seen and examined. Microalga, which
are not eligible include the many microscopic, mostly single-celled
forms. The vascular marine plants are mostly flowering grasses.
Some of these grasses can also tolerate brackish water, but all
are included here.
Red Macro Algae (Rhodophyta)
5 points: None.
10 points: Galaxaura marginata.
15 points: Galaxaura oblongata.
20 points: All species of red macroalga not mentioned
in other point categories.
Targets: Acanthophora spicifera, Anotrichum
barbatum, Asparagopsis taxiformis, Callithamnion cordatum,
all Chondria species, all Dasya species, Dictyurus
accidentalis, Griffithsia globulifera, all Jania
species, Martensia pavonia, Trichogloepsis pedicellata.
Green Macro Algae
5 points: All Caulerpa not mentioned
in other point categories, Chaetomorpha linum, Enteromorpha
flexuosa.
10 points: All Bryopsis species, Caulerpa
crassifolia, Caulerpa lanuginosa, Caulerpa serrulata, Caulerpa
taxifolia, all Chadtomorpha species, Cladophora
prolifera, all Chaetomorpha species not mentioned
in other point categories, Codium decorticatum.
15 points: Batophora oerstedii, Caulerpa
cupressoides, Caulerpa verticillata, all Chadtomorpha
species, all Cladocephalus species, Codium repens,
Dasycladus vermicularis, Dictyophaeria cavernosa, Neomeris annulata,
all Penicillus species, all Rhipilea species,
and all Ulva species.
20 points: All species of green macroalga not
mentioned in other point categories.
Targets: All Chamaedons species, Cymopolia
barbarta, Halimeda lacrimosa, Halimeda opuntia, Ulvarua
oxysperma.
Brown Macro Algae
5 points: None.
10 points: None.
15 points: None.
20 points: All species of brown macroalga not
mentioned in other point categories.
Targets: Dictyota bartayresii, Dictyota divaricata,
Dictyota linearis, Lobophora variegata, Rosenvingea intricata,
and all Turbinaria species.
Marine Vascular plants
5 points: None.
10 points: Thalassia testudinim, all
species of marine plants and vascular plants not mentioned in
other point categories.
15 points: Halophila englemannii.
20 points: Halophila decipiens.
Targets: None.
Class
J–Creeping Shoot Plants (5 species)
This class includes low growing plants that spread by a creeping
shoot bearing a new leaf or leaves at a regular interval.
5 points: Marsilea mutica, Marsilea quadrifolia.
10 points: Hydrocotyle leucocephala, Hydrocotyle
verticillata, Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, Lilaeopsis mauritiana,
Lilaeopsis novae-zealandiae, all Marsilea species
not mentioned in other point categories, Ranunculus limosella,
Sellaria radicans, and all species not mentioned in other
point categories.
15 points: Elatine triandra, Glossostigma
diandra, Glossostigma elatinoides, Hydrocotyle vulgaris.
20 points: Hydrocotyle sibthorpiodes,
all Pilularia species, Rotala sp.‘Goias’,
Utricularia tricolor, Ranunculus inundatus.
Targets: Hemianthus callitrichoides.
Class K–Aquatic Ferns and Mosses (6 species)
This class contains all aquatic ferns and mosses not listed in
other categories. All species herein grow under water as a normal
circumstance.
5 points: All Ceratopterus species,
Marsilea mutica, Marsilea quadrifolia, all Microsorum
species (except M. pteropus var. ‘Philippine’),
Taxiphyllum barbieri.
10 points: Bolbitis heudelotii, All
Marsilea species not mentioned in other point categories,
all Taxiphyllum species (except T. barbieri),
all Vesicularia species, all species not mentioned in
other point categories.
15 points: Amblystegium serpens, Bolbitis
heteroclita, Fontinalis antipyretica, Leptodictyum riparium.
20 points: All Fissiden species, Microsorum
pteropus var. ‘Philippine’, all Pilularia
species.
Targets: All Isoetes species.
Class L–Native Plants (7 species)
Any freshwater or brackish species that are endemic to Pennsylvania.
It cannot be an introduced species.
5 points: All native Elodea species,
all native Iris species, all native Lemna species,
all native Spirodela species, Utricularia gibba,
Vallisneria americana, all native Wolffia species.
10 points: All native Eleocharis species,
Lobelia cardinalis, Ludwigia palustris, all
native Najas species, all native Polygonum species,
all native Potamogeton species, all native Sagittaria
species, Zosterella dubia, all native species not mentioned
in other point categories.
15 points: All native Hydrocotyle species,
Lindernia dubia, all native Myriophyllum species,
all native Nuphar species, all native Nymphoides
species, all native Proserpinaca species.
20 points: Penthorum sedoides, Rotala ramosior,
Ranunculus aquatilis, Ranunculus flabellaris, all native
Utricularia species (except U. gibba).
Targets: Brasenia schreberi, all native
Isoetes species, Eriocaulon aquaticum.
