Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Brookweed
Samolus valerandi L.
10–15 cm
Height in the aquarium
medium to high
Light
low
CO₂ needs
22–26 °C
Ideal temperature
Water parameters
Understand these values- Position
- midground, foreground
- Propagation
- seeds, separating offshoots
- Uses
- nano tank
- Grows emersed
- yes
In the wild
Overview
This marsh plant forms a spreading rosette of light green leaves rounded at the tip, a little reminiscent of lamb's lettuce. It grows on damp soils and the edges of fresh or brackish water. Out of water, small white flowers can appear on a taller stalk.
- Scientific name
- Samolus valerandi L.
- Classification
- Ericales › Primulaceae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
Europe, East Asia, North America, Central America, Caribbean, tropical South America
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Introduced in Rivers and lakes
- Native countries
- Introduced by people
Outside its native range, in 4 countries:
An aquarium plant must never reach the wild: throwing away cuttings or emptying a tank into a stream can be enough to establish it.
Countries: Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). Dots: GBIF observations in the native countries.
In the aquarium
Growing in the aquarium
Provide strong light for this difficult, slow-growing entry. Propagation by seed is mentioned in the profile. Give the rosette time to produce new leaves and follow how it adapts to submersion. The description available does not justify promising growing as easy as that of a common aquatic plant.
Sources:Flowgrow GBIF POWO (Kew) · Base map: Natural Earth