brazilian shieldwort

Brazilian pennywort, another popular name is white-headed silverwort, the scientific name is Hydrocotyle leucocephala. It occurs naturally in Central and South America, where it grows in wet wetlands of the equatorial and tropical climatic zones.

Interesting fact! Is edible. In some countries it is used in food as a spice or as a base for soft drinks.

Able to grow under water, forming graceful bushes, rooting in the ground, floating on the surface of the water and even leaving it. In this case, small roots appear at the base of the leaves, with the help of which the plant clings to any surface above the aquarium and thereby partially leaves the aquatic environment. Each time the plant adapts, but at the same time retains its characteristic appearance – a thin stem, which is crowned by a single rounded green leaf up to 5 cm in diameter.

The Brazilian pennywort is one of the easiest aquarium plants to maintain and can be recommended to every beginner. Perfectly adapts to various water environments, does not impose high requirements on the amount of light and CO2 concentration. In favorable conditions, it is characterized by rapid growth, adding to the length of up to 2-3 cm every week. In the design, they are used in the middle or background because of the spreading leaves that grow very tightly. Dense thickets provide an excellent refuge for fry, and some fish and invertebrates use the leaves as food. At the same time, if an adult plant copes with damage quickly, then young shoots may die.