Ceratophyllum demersum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ceratophyllum demersum | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Ceratophyllum demersum L. |
Ceratophyllum demersum (Rigid Hornwort) is a species of Ceratophyllum, with a cosmopolitan distribution in temperate and tropical regions.
It is a submerged aquatic plant, growing in still or very slow-moving water in ponds and streams with summer water temperatures of 15-30 °C and a rich nutrient status, rooting in mud at the bottom of the water. The stems reach lengths of 1–3 m, with numerous side shoots making a single specimen appear as a large, bushy mass. The leaves are produced in whorls of six to twelve, each leaf 8–40 mm long, simple, or forked into two to eight thread-like segments edged with spiny teeth; they are stiff and brittle. It is monoecious, with separate male and female flowers produced on the same plant. The flowers are small, 2 mm long, with eight or more greenish-brown petals; they are produced in the leaf axils. The fruit is a small nut 4–5 mm long, usually with three spines, two basal and one apical, 1–12 mm long. Plants with the two basal nut spines very short are sometimes distinguished as Ceratophyllum demersum var. apiculatum (Cham.) Asch., and those with no basal spines sometimes distinguished as Ceratophyllum demersum var. inerme Gay ex Radcl.-Sm.[1][2][3][4][5]
[edit] Cultivation and uses
This species is often used as a floating freshwater plant in both coldwater and tropical aquaria, though it may attach itself to the substrate or objects in the aquarium by roots. Its fluffy, filamentous, bright-green green leaves provide excellent cover for newly-hatched fish. It is propagated by cuttings.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ Flora of China: Ceratophyllum demersum
- ^ Flora of North America: Ceratophyllum demersum
- ^ Flora of NW Europe: Ceratophyllum demersum
- ^ Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2
- ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ Hiscock, P. (2003). Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. Interpret Publishing, United States and Canada ISBN 0-7641-5521-0.
 Detail of leaves and male flowers |
 Illustration |
