Somphong's water trumpet is a long known, well established and beautiful aquarium plant. Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae comes from calcareous rivers and streams in Thailand and some neighbouring countries. It is characterised by many flexible, long, ribbon-shaped leaves that are strongly hammered (bullate). This species is variable, there are forms with leaves up to 70 cm long and 4 cm wide. The most customary form has leaves up to over 40 cm long and about 1.5 to 2.5 cm wide. The colouring varies from olive green to reddish brown. Often the midrib and petioles are brown-pink. This Cryptocoryne forms a dense stand through underground runners over time. Fine roots often grow out of the substrate, which is normal for many Cryptocoryne species. The inflorescences have a conspicuous spirally twisted spathe and grow out of the water when the water level is low.