Mexican oak leaf

Shinnersia rivularis

Also known as Mexican oakleaf, Trichocoronis rivularis

FreshwaterStemCuttingsSide shoots

Mexican oak leaf (Shinnersia rivularis) — Rs79 · CC BY-SA 3.0

Care at a glance

Light: Medium light
CO2: No CO₂ needed
Growth rate: Fast
Placement: Background
Type: Stem
Temperature: 64–82°F (18–28°C)
pH: 5.5–8.0
Hardness: 2–15 dGH
Max height: 19.7 in (50 cm)
Spread: 5.9 in (15 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Easy
Origin: Native to streams and riverbanks in Mexico and the southern United States.
Family: Asteraceae

Overview

Mexican oak leaf is an easy, extremely fast grower that does not require CO2 and does well in medium to bright light. Its speed is the main thing to manage, so plan on frequent trimming so it does not shade its neighbors. Plant it in the background and replant the cuttings, which root quickly.

In the wild

Shinnersia rivularis is named for its broad, coarsely toothed leaves that resemble oak foliage, often marked with pale veins. It grows along Mexican streams and riverbanks, spreading quickly in flowing water. In the aquarium it is one of the fastest growing stem plants available.

Good to know

Shinnersia rivularis belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae, making it an unusual aquatic member of a mostly terrestrial group. The genus is named after the botanist Lloyd Shinners. The species name rivularis means growing by streams.