Echinodorus tenellus

Illustration of Grassy sword plant ( Echinodorus tenellus ).

The Grassy sword plant ( Echinodorus tenellus ), also known as Tender sword plant, is a species in the family of plantain plants ( Alismataceae ). It is one of the most widely used in the aquarium water plants.

Appearance

The Grassy sword plant is the smallest species under the sword plants ( Echinodorus ). It is with her at a stoloniferous, grassy growing, herbaceous plant. Rhizome absent in contrast to other members of the family. The narrow lance-shaped leaves are four to six inches long and 3 mm wide and are mostly light to dark green. There is also known a variety, wherein the blades have a brownish color. A translucent drawing, as they occur in many other sword plant species missing here.

Just above the water growing plants develop from buds. These extend beyond the leaves usually far. The inflorescence is erect and unbranched, and has one or two flower whorls on. Each of the whorls has between four and sixteen petals, each with a diameter of between six and ten millimeters. The sepals are only 2.5 millimeters long and 2 millimeters wide. The petals, however, are slightly larger. Are formed obovate nutlets that are between 1 and 1.5 millimeters long.

Occurrence and habitat

The Grassy sword plant is native to America. Deposits are found in both North, Central, South America as. In their area of ​​distribution the Grassy Sword plant grows wild in preferred areas at the banks of large rivers. She prefers doing the shore regions that fall dry at low water, but still have a moist soil. During the flood period, the plant thrives then submerged.

Use in the aquarium

The Grassy sword plant is one of the species that are almost constantly available commercially for planting in aquariums. It is usually planted in the foreground, where it quickly forms a dense and low grass with her congenial conditions.

Thus, the plant thrives well, a fine-grained gravel as possible makes sense. In coarser gravel delicate offshoot plants can take root only very poorly. The plant has a high nutritional needs. It is therefore recommended that a slow-release fertilizer is in the ground. The plant tolerates soft to medium hard water and thrives in temperatures 22 to 29 degrees Celsius. It requires a very intense illumination. Carbon dioxide should be offered regularly in small doses.