Egeria densa
Dichtblättrige waterweed
The Dichtblättrige Elodea ( Egeria densa, Elodea densa Syn ) is an aquatic plant of the family of frog bite plants ( Hydrocharitaceae ).
It plays a role in the hobby because it grows quickly and is therefore helpful, very fast to ensure an adequate oxygen supply in a newly planted aquarium. However, it grows well only in such aquariums whose water temperature is not too high.
Appearance
The Dichtblättrige Elodea is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows flutend in the water. She has two to three millimeters thick, hard and slightly brittle stems that are leafy tight. The upper leaves normally appear in this fourfold whorls. The individual leaves are narrow oblong and dark green.
The plants are dioecious getrenntgeschlechtig ( dioecious ). The small female flowers consist of three green sepals and three white petals and carpels. Male flowers have nine stamens usually.
Distribution and habitat
The original distribution area of Dichtblättrigen Waterweed comprises the southeast of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. The plant is naturalized world today. They can be detected as a neophyte among other things in the aquatic environment in Chile, Mexico, North America, East Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Europe. At least in Europe it is considered different from the Elodea species so far as largely unproblematic naturalized plant. In other regions it applies because of their rapid growth as a harmful plant.
Although it has so far proven in Europe as unproblematic plant, care should be taken when they are planted in aquariums or ponds for reasons of nature protection that it does not enter into natural waters. Excess plants should be disposed of in the garbage and not in the aquatic environment. A so-called Ansalbung is also prohibited according to § 41 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act in Germany.
Use in the aquarium
The Dichtblättrige Waterweed belongs to the ever offered in stores plants for planting in aquariums since it belongs to the "classical" first planting an aquarium. It is usually sold as bunches and therefore priced accordingly. Thanks to its rapid growth, it is able to supply the fish stock very soon with sufficient oxygen. It thrives even in soft water. However, the best growth conditions are found in calcareous water with higher pH values . It is one more likely to be cold-water plants. Temperatures higher than 26 ° C can tolerate only short term. An addition of carbon dioxide, the plant is not instructed. Here already sufficient quantities passing through a partial water change in the aquarium.