Encyclopaedia
PlantFreshwaterEasy
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Elatine gratioloides
Elatine gratioloides
A highly adaptable creeping plant from Australia and New Zealand. Perfect for foregrounds, it needs strong lighting and CO2 supplementation to form a dense carpet.
Class:Liliopsida
Order:Malpighiales
Family:Elatinaceae
Genus:Elatine
Species:Elatine gratioloides
Share
Check out Elatine gratioloides on Atlarium
Water Temperature
16 - 26 °C
pH Value
6 - 7
Water type
Freshwater
Light
Medium - High
CO2
Medium - High
GH
0 - 20 dGH
KH
0 - 10 dKH
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Australia and New Zealand, where it inhabits the damp margins of ponds, lakes, and rivers. It is accustomed to living both in emerged form on muddy banks and submerged in shallow water, showing high tolerance to seasonal variations.
Taxonomy & Genetics: It is part of the Elatinaceae family, genus Elatine. This species shares many characteristics with Elatine triandra, but differs in microscopic details of the flowers and leaf arrangement.
Physical Structure: It develops creeping or slightly erect, highly branched stems that form dense plant cushions. Roots develop easily from each stem node, anchoring the plant firmly to the substrate.
Color & Texture: The leaves have a light green or pastel green coloration. The texture is extremely soft and the leaf tissue is thin, giving the clump a soft and fluffy appearance.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Lighting & CO2: Requires moderate to strong lighting. Strong light promotes compact, creeping development. CO2 supplementation significantly accelerates growth.
Nutrition & Substrate: A fertile substrate is recommended to support the root system. It benefits from regular administration of liquid fertilizers containing iron.
Water Chemistry: Adapts well to pH ranges between 6.0 and 7.5. It prefers soft to index-hard water and a temperature between 15 and 26 °C.
Space Management & Placement: Great for the midground or for the foreground in large aquariums. It can be planted in small groups to form dense bushes.
Pruning: Should be pruned regularly by topping the longest stems to encourage lateral branching and maintain a tidy shape.
Risks & Diseases: Can suffer from chlorosis (leaf yellowing) if nutrients or iron are lacking. Watch out for shading caused by taller plants.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to Australia and New Zealand, where it inhabits the damp margins of ponds, lakes, and rivers. It is accustomed to living both in emerged form on muddy banks and submerged in shallow water, showing high tolerance to seasonal variations.
Origin
Australia, New Guinea, and Oceania
Plant profile
- Placement
- No verified data available
- Botanical form
- No verified data available
- Growth
- No verified data available
- Substrate
- No verified data available
- Column fertilization
- No verified data available
- Root fertilization
- No verified data available
- Trimming
- No verified data available
- Propagation
- No verified data available
- Nutrients
- No verified data available
- Sensitivity
- No verified data available
- Layout role
- No verified data available
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
