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Submerged Oxygenating Aquatics |
C. aspera has numerous fragile branched stems with much
showy green foliage.
C. jragifera is rather rare, having most delicate leaves, while
C. jragilis has translucent stems and light green foliage.
Cryptocoryne. This is a family of plants for warm water
culture. They are specially useful where fish are kept and do
best under fairly shady conditions. The plant is an aroid and
therefore produces its flowers in the form of spathes which
stand out of the water. There are many species most of which
have fragrant flowers of a purplish or reddish-purple shade.
Eleocharis acicularis, or Hair Grass, has dense mats of hair-
like foliage, giving a very graceful effect under water.
Elodea canadensis is a first-class oxygenator which must be
kept under control owing to its rampant growth and ability
to choke other plants. It is therefore not wise to use it in large
ponds or lakes where it might gain such a hold as to strangle
choicer subjects. The brittle stems are furnished with oval
leaves which are liked by swans and some other water birds.
There are a number of other species, many of which are
tender and need growing in warm water.
Fontinalis is known as Willow Moss and Water Moss which
indicates the appearance of the plants. They are first class for
ponds, streams and aquariums and are quite happy in running
water. Excellent oxygenators, they are useful for sheltering
newly-hatched fish as well as the eggs when first laid.
F. antipyretica has greyish-green leaves on little branched
stems. Most other species are similar, one or two being suit-
able for growing indoors.
Hippuris vulgaris has whorls of very narrow leaves and very
simple flowers without corolla or calyx and having one stamen
and one pistil, and producing just one seed. It is sometimes
eaten by ducks and is said to be useful for purifying the air.
Hottonia palustris is the Water Violet with delicate, green,
fern-like foliage. It is one of the few oxygenating aquatics
which produce really good flowers of which the colour is lilac-
lavender, their shape being violet-like. So long as each separ-
ate portion possesses a piece of rootstock the plant will usually
establish itself freely if portions are broken off for propagation
purposes.
Isoetes lacustris is a quaint little plant having the common
names of Quillwort and Merlin's Grass. From its dark
brownish tuberous roots it bears olive-green leaves. Fish seem
to like it for food and it has no special cultural requirements.
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