Ceratophyllum submersum
A free-floating aquatic plant with finely divided leaves.
Ceratophyllum submersum, commonly known as soft hornwort or tropical hornwort, is a submerged, free-floating aquatic plant species of the genus Ceratophyllum. It is notable for its similarity to the more widespread Ceratophyllum demersum (rigid hornwort), from which it can be distinguished by the number of times its leaves divide. The plant has been reported from Europe, Central Asia, northern Africa, scattered places in tropical Africa, Turkey, Oman, Florida, and the Dominican Republic.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Ceratophyllum
- Species
- submersum
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ceratophyllum submersum is a free-floating aquatic plant that forks from the stem three to four times, with each end bearing 6 to 8 threadlike tips. Its temperature tolerance is suggested to be between 4 and 30 °C, with an optimal range of 15 to 30 °C. The plant typically reaches heights of 6–12 inches or 12–18 inches. It prefers to colonize eutrophic waters around agricultural systems and is a self-regulating rapid grower, similar to Ceratophyllum demersum. It thrives in moderately lit environments; under strong light, it attains an auburn color tint. Due to its fast growth, it must be trimmed often or provided a larger tank or environment. The species has been found submerged in freshwater in tropical regions and has been introduced to newer areas, such as Ireland. It has been recorded in the Rosetta branch of the Nile River of Egypt, where it thrives in various locations at different times of the year.
Reader's Guide
Ceratophyllum submersum is used in aquariums as a means to decrease nitrogen in artificial aquatic systems, though it is not as common in usage as Ceratophyllum demersum. Its presence in waters has been associated with a decrease in nitrogen forms such as NH4 and NO3, but an increase in pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen. Ecologically, while C. demersum has been negatively associated with all phytoplankton classes, C. submersum was positively associated with them, chlorophyll a, and Cyanophyceae. The two species do not share the same habitat, with the cosmopolitan C. demersum being more distributed, indicating similar niches. In some cases, C. submersum can overtake C. demersum in one vegetative season in a body of water. Propagation is achieved by cutting the stem of the plant and placing it in the aquatic system. After organic matter is converted to soluble inorganic matter, C. submersum helps oxygenate waste water.
Did You Know?
- Soft hornwort leaves divide three to four times, while rigid hornwort leaves divide only once or twice.
- Under strong light, C. submersum attains an auburn color tint.
- Its presence in water is associated with a decrease in NH4 and NO3 but an increase in pH, conductivity, and dissolved oxygen.
More in Aquarium and Aquatic Plants, Part 3 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced