water star

European Water Star or Marsh Bog, also known as Water Star, scientific name Callitriche palustris agg. These are the collective names of plants of the genus Callitriche, which are closely related to each other and have minor differences, so they are grouped into a generalized form called an aggregate (abbreviation: agg.).

Species from the Callitriche palustris aggregate are difficult to identify, requiring tiny, inconspicuous flowers. In addition, the same plant can vary greatly depending on the growing conditions. When submerged, the plant has a thin stem and soft, light green, narrow, linear leaves arranged in whorls of four at each node. When reaching the surface, the tip of the shoot changes into a floating rosette with densely spaced, wider, ovoid floating leaves.

The European water star, as the name implies, is widespread in the temperate and subtropical zones of Eurasia, mainly in the European part, as well as in North America in the United States. In nature, they grow in shallow water with stagnant water in lakes and river backwaters, where they form dense thickets, sometimes turning the surface of the water into a dense “green pillow”.

Plants from the genus Callitriche are often mentioned in the aquarium literature, however, they are rarely found in home aquaria. It is most widespread in America and is mainly used as a pond plant.