Water starwort

Callitriche palustris

Also known as Vernal water-starwort, Spiny water starwort, Narrow-fruited water starwort

FreshwaterStemCuttingsdivision

Water starwort (Callitriche palustris) — Gower · CC BY-SA 4.0

Care at a glance

Light: High light
CO2: No CO₂ needed
Growth rate: Medium
Placement: Midground
Type: Stem
Temperature: 41–72°F (5–22°C)
pH: 6.0–7.5
Hardness: 2–15 dGH
Max height: 11.8 in (30 cm)
Spread: 3.1 in (8 cm)
Nutrient uptake: Root + water column
Growth region: Submersed or emersed
Difficulty: Medium
Origin: Native to ponds, ditches, and slow, cool waters across temperate North America and Eurasia.
Family: Plantaginaceae

Overview

Water starwort is best in a well-lit, cool tank and does not need CO2, though it appreciates bright light. It grows in the mid to foreground and can be a vigorous grower, so cut it back in spring to keep it in check. It suits coldwater and biotope aquariums more than warm tropical tanks.

In the wild

Callitriche palustris forms slender, trailing stems with small, spoon-shaped leaves that gather into star-like rosettes floating at the surface. It grows in cool, still or slow waters and can complete its life cycle in a single season. Underwater it makes soft, pale green tufts.

Good to know

Callitriche palustris is now placed in the plantain family, Plantaginaceae, though it was long treated in its own family, Callitrichaceae. It is a hydroannual, completing its life cycle within a single year. Its tiny flowers are among the simplest of any flowering plant.