Hornwort light green

Light green hornwort, scientific name Ceratophyllum submersum. Found on all continents except Antarctica. It grows in warm water bodies (floodplain lakes, swamps, slow-flowing rivers) in the temperate climate zone.

The plant has no roots, it floats on the surface, forming dense clusters. Under certain conditions, it can be fixed at the bottom with the help of pale branches of the stem. The leaves have a whorled arrangement, that is, in tiers – one above the other. On each tier there are two or three light green leaves, each of which is divided into 6-8 filiform lobes. These soft and flexible modified leaves are the main difference from another popular aquarium plant – dark green hornwort.

The light green hornwort is unpretentious and grows well in various environments. It is not picky about the hydrochemical composition of water, endures micronutrient deficiencies and does not need additional carbon dioxide. It is worth noting that in bright light the leaves acquire a reddish tint. Excessively elongated stems are shortened by simple pruning.