Limnobium sponge

Limnobium spongy, scientific name Limnobium spongia. Widely distributed throughout North America from Canada to the southern regions of the United States. It grows everywhere on the surface of reservoirs with stagnant or slowly flowing water (swamps, lakes, backwaters of rivers), as well as on wet, silty substrates along the coastline.

The genus Limnobium is represented by only two species, Limnobium spongy and Limnobium spongy. The latter is best known in the aquarium trade, while the former is probably no longer used.

Limnobium spongia forms clusters of floating leaves in a rosette. The leaves take on the characteristic shape of hearts. The lower surface of the leaf blade has a finely porous spongy structure, which is reflected in the name of this species. If the plant grows on the soil, it forms a tall bush (up to 50 cm) with elliptical leaves with a pointed tip on long petioles. Propagated by seeds or side shoots.

It is considered a weed plant, which implies low growth requirements. Unpretentious to external conditions, perfectly adapts to a wide range of temperatures, hydrochemical composition of water and lighting levels. When grown in open ponds, with the onset of cold weather, it passes into a winter state, forming the so-called “winter buds”.