Sagittaria needle

Sagittaria needle, English trade name Sagittaria sp. Needle. Artificially bred on the basis of Arrowhead subulata (Sagittaria subulata). The new variety appeared thanks to the efforts of breeder Peter Schneider from Aquarium Perle (Zutzgen, Switzerland).

Despite its origin, this plant is more like Vallisneria dwarf or Helanthium tender. The leaves are very thin, 1.5–2 mm long, up to 10 cm long. However, with an abundance of nutrients and the additional introduction of carbon dioxide, the leaves can grow up to 30 cm in length, thickening up to 3 mm in width. The leaf blade is pointed and somewhat curved towards the bottom. Depending on the degree of illumination, the color varies from green to olive.

In shallow water, arrows may appear, which later will crown white flowers. Reproduction is possible through seeds, however, given the need for pollination, this process is very problematic in a home aquarium. It is most effective to propagate through lateral shoots.

Sagittaria needle is considered an unpretentious hardy plant that can successfully grow in various conditions, including open water bodies (for example, ponds) of temperate latitude during the warm season. Requires a little more light than its ancestor Arrowhead styloid, so shading should be avoided.