Micro sword

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis

Also known as Brazilian micro sword, Micro sword grass, Carpet grass, Copragrass, Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae

FreshwaterCarpetingRunners

Micro sword (Lilaeopsis brasiliensis) — Averater · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: CO₂ beneficial
Growth rate: Slow
Placement: Foreground
Type: Carpeting
Temperature: 64–79°F (18–26°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: 2–14 dGH
Max height: 2.4 in (6 cm)
Spread: 3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root feeder
Growth region: Submersed
Difficulty: Medium
Origin: Southeastern South America (Argentina, southern Brazil, Paraguay)
Family: Apiaceae

Overview

A grassy foreground carpet that is more forgiving than the demanding mat plants, but slow to establish. It will grow under medium light without CO2, though CO2 (around 10 to 40 mg/l) and root tabs in a fine, soft substrate speed the spread and keep blades short and dense. Plant small clumps a couple of centimeters apart and be patient, since the carpet can take months to fill in. Under low light it tends to grow taller and thinner instead of carpeting.

In the wild

Native to southeastern South America, including Argentina (Buenos Aires region), southern Brazil and Paraguay, where it grows along wet margins and shallow water. It spreads by horizontal runners into a low grass-like lawn and is half-hardy enough to survive cool outdoor cultivation.

Good to know

A true member of the carrot family Apiaceae, despite its grassy look. It was first described in 1909 by Glaziou as Crantzia brasiliensis before being moved to Lilaeopsis, and L. minor is treated as a synonym. The narrow upright blades are technically reduced, hollow phyllodes rather than ordinary leaves.

Did you know

Because it feeds mostly through its roots and tolerates a wide temperature range, micro sword is one of the few carpeting plants that does fine in unheated coldwater and even outdoor tubs.