TankBud

Micro sword

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis

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

FreshwaterBrackishCarpetingRunners

Micro sword (Lilaeopsis brasiliensis)
Aquarium Plants Factory · Used with permission

Care at a glance

Light
Medium light
CO2
CO₂ beneficial
Temperature
59–79°F
15–26°C
Max height
2.4 in
6 cm
Growth rate
Slow
Placement
Foreground
Type
Carpeting
pH
6.0–7.5
Hardness
2–14 dGH
Spread
3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake
Root feeder
Growth region
Submersed
Difficulty
Medium
Family
Apiaceae
Origin
Southeastern South America (Argentina, southern Brazil, Paraguay)

Overview

Micro sword is a grassy foreground carpet that is more forgiving than the demanding mat plants. It is slow to establish and rates medium in difficulty.

Did you know

Micro sword is half-hardy. It is one of the few carpeting plants that does fine in an unheated tank, and it can spend the summer in an outdoor tub.

Caring for micro sword

Split micro sword into small clumps and plant them a couple of centimeters apart in a fine, soft substrate. Be patient, since the carpet can take months to fill in as the runners spread between the clumps.

It grows under medium light without CO2. CO2 at around 10 to 40 mg/l speeds the spread and keeps the blades short and dense. It draws much of its food through its roots, so add root tabs or grow it in a nutrient-rich soil.

Under low light it grows taller and thinner instead of carpeting. Growth is slow, so it rarely needs trimming. Cut a new plant off a runner once it has roots to start another patch.

Good to know

Micro sword is a true member of the carrot family, Apiaceae, despite its grassy look. Glaziou first described it in 1909 as Crantzia brasiliensis, before it was moved to Lilaeopsis. Some checklists treat it and Lilaeopsis minor as one species. Its narrow, upright blades are reduced, hollow phyllodes rather than ordinary leaves.

In the wild

Micro sword is native to southeastern South America, including Argentina around Buenos Aires, southern Brazil and Paraguay. It grows along wet margins and in shallow water. It spreads by horizontal runners into a low, grass-like lawn.

Common questions

Does micro sword need to be planted in the substrate?

Yes. Split it into small clumps and push each one into the substrate with tweezers, leaving gaps for it to fill.

Does micro sword need CO2?

No, but it helps. Micro sword can grow without injected CO2, and added CO2 makes it grow faster.

How much light does micro sword need?

Micro sword wants medium light. A light sold for planted tanks covers it.

Does micro sword need root tabs?

Yes. Micro sword 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 micro sword?

Micro sword propagates by runners. New plants grow along its runners. Cut one free once it has roots and plant it.

How tall does micro sword grow?

Micro sword grows to about 2.4 in (6 cm) tall. It grows slowly and rarely needs trimming.

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