TankBud

Eriocaulon aquaticum

Also known as Seven-angled pipewort, Sevenangle pipewort, Aquatic pipewort, Eriocaulon septangulare, Eriocaulon pellucidum, Erio aquaticum

FreshwaterRosetteSide shoots

Eriocaulon aquaticum (Eriocaulon aquaticum)
Buce Plant · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
High light
CO2
CO₂ required
Temperature
68–82°F
20–28°C
Max height
3.9 in
10 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Midground
Type
Rosette
pH
5.0–7.0
Spread
3.9 in (10 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root feeder
Growth region
Submersed or emersed
Difficulty
Difficult
Family
Eriocaulaceae
Origin
Eastern Canada to the north-central and eastern USA, plus western Ireland and western Scotland

Overview

Eriocaulon aquaticum is a difficult rosette for the midground and suits experienced keepers.

Did you know

Eriocaulon aquaticum is an isoetid, one of a group of rosette lake plants that take in much of their carbon dioxide through their roots. A 1988 review reported this root uptake in every isoetid studied up to then.

Caring for Eriocaulon aquaticum

Rinse the tissue culture gel off Eriocaulon aquaticum and split the clump into small portions. Plant them in the midground in a rich, acidic soil, with the crown just above the surface. It draws much of its food through its roots, so root tabs help as well.

Give it strong light and injected CO2. Keep the water soft, slightly acidic and steady at 68 to 82°F (20 to 28°C). Big swings in water conditions can make it melt and rot.

It grows slowly. Firm white roots and even new growth show a healthy plant. To propagate it, cut side shoots off a large clump once they have a few leaves.

Good to know

Eriocaulon aquaticum is a pipewort in the family Eriocaulaceae. It forms a rosette of narrow, grass-like leaves 2 to 5 mm wide. Most plants stand 4 to 21 cm tall, but submersed plants can reach 100 cm, with leaves to 40 cm. The old name Eriocaulon septangulare means seven-angled, after the ribbed flower stalks. POWO also lists E. aquaticum Sagot ex Koern., an 1863 name never validly published, as a synonym of E. setaceum.

In the wild

Eriocaulon aquaticum grows in shallow water and on wet shores of lakes, ponds, bogs and slow rivers. Its range runs from Newfoundland and Labrador west to Minnesota and south to Alabama and the Carolinas. In Europe it grows only in western Ireland and western Scotland. It favors sandy or peaty bottoms, often among sphagnum, from sea level to about 600 m.

Common questions

Does Eriocaulon aquaticum need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Bury the roots and leave the crown, where the leaves join, just above the substrate.

Does Eriocaulon aquaticum need CO2?

Yes. Eriocaulon aquaticum needs injected CO2 to grow well, and it usually struggles without it.

How much light does Eriocaulon aquaticum need?

Eriocaulon aquaticum needs high light from a strong planted-tank LED.

Does Eriocaulon aquaticum need root tabs?

Yes. Eriocaulon aquaticum draws much of its food through its roots. Push root tabs in near it, or grow it in a nutrient-rich soil.

How do you propagate Eriocaulon aquaticum?

Eriocaulon aquaticum propagates by side shoots. Cut a side shoot off once it has a few leaves and plant it on its own.

How tall does Eriocaulon aquaticum grow?

Eriocaulon aquaticum grows to about 3.9 in (10 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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