Encyclopaedia
PlantFreshwaterIntermediate
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Elatine triandra
Elatine triandra
A widely distributed aquatic plant perfect for creating lush foreground carpets. Demands medium-high lighting and CO2 injection to encourage horizontal growth.
Class:Liliopsida
Order:Malpighiales
Family:Elatinaceae
Genus:Elatine
Species:Elatine triandra
Share
Check out Elatine triandra on Atlarium
Water Temperature
10 - 28 °C
pH Value
5 - 7.5
Water type
Freshwater
Light
Medium - High
CO2
Medium - High
Expected height
7 cm
Expected width
15 cm
GH
0 - 20 dGH
KH
2 - 14 dKH
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Cosmopolitan species, mainly distributed in the temperate and tropical zones of Asia, Europe, and Australia. It grows along the margins of ponds, rice paddies, and slow rivers, preferring muddy soils and very shallow water where it receives plenty of sunlight.
Taxonomy & Genetics: It belongs to the Elatinaceae family and the genus Elatine. It is known for its morphological plasticity, adapting quickly from emerged to submerged form with variations in leaf size.
Physical Structure: It features creeping and branched stems that anchor to the soil via thin adventitious roots at the nodes. The leaves are small, opposite, and lanceolate, compactly arranged along the stem.
Color & Texture: The leaves present a very bright apple-green or light green hue. The texture is soft and delicate, forming a dense wavy carpet that follows the profile of the substrate.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Lighting & CO2: Requires medium-high lighting. Without sufficient light, it tends to grow upwards rather than creep. CO2 injection is highly recommended.
Nutrition & Substrate: Beneficially gains from a substrate rich in iron and fertilizers. Liquid fertilization must be regular, with special attention to microelements.
Water Chemistry: Prefers soft to medium-hard water (KH 2-14) and an acidic to neutral pH (5.0-7.5). The optimal temperature is between 10 and 28 °C.
Space Management & Placement: Place in the foreground. It spreads quickly, creating a uniform lawn, ideal for Iwagumi or Dutch style layouts.
Pruning: Requires frequent pruning to prevent the lower layers from being starved of light and rotting, which would ruin the carpet's adhesion to the substrate.
Risks & Diseases: It is sensitive to fluctuations in water parameters. Iron deficiency causes yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis) and drastically slows growth.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Cosmopolitan species, mainly distributed in the temperate and tropical zones of Asia, Europe, and Australia. It grows along the margins of ponds, rice paddies, and slow rivers, preferring muddy soils and very shallow water where it receives plenty of sunlight.
Origin
South and Southeast AsiaEurope, Mediterranean, and West AsiaEast AsiaAustralia, New Guinea, and OceaniaCosmopolitan or introduced
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.
