Photo: Egleria, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Water stargrass
Heteranthera dubia (Jacq.) MacMill.
30–100 cm
Height in the aquarium
medium to high
Light
low
CO₂ needs
15–27 °C
Ideal temperature
Water parameters
Understand these values- Position
- Not known
- Propagation
- cuttings
- Grows emersed
- yes
In the wild
Overview
This plant looks like a set of long, light green grass blades. It is larger and less demanding than its relative Heteranthera zosterifolia. Floating shoots may bear yellow star-shaped flowers, whereas its relative flowers in blue. It makes a light, unfussy planted background.
- Scientific name
- Heteranthera dubia (Jacq.) MacMill.
- Classification
- Commelinales › Pontederiaceae
- IUCN Red List
- Least concern (LC)
Natural habitat
North America, Central America
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
- Native countries
- Introduced by people
No introduction reported outside its native range.
Countries: Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). Dots: GBIF observations in the native countries.
In the aquarium
Growing in the aquarium
Plant it in a group and replant the tops if the stems start floating at the surface. It suits cool tanks and tolerates various water qualities, with a preference for slightly mineral water. CO₂ is not essential. Its fast growth calls for regular trimming to keep space for neighbouring plants.
Sources:Flowgrow GBIF POWO (Kew) · Base map: Natural Earth