My Son Brought Me This...

[ICEEGRL]

Luke got this for me. It was growing in the city pond.
It is now in a bucket of water with some soil and gravel. Once I know what it is I will decide if I will be putting it in one of my tanks.
I do like it. It is really kind of pretty.


Any one know what it is?

Thanks for helping me out.

 

[ICEEGRL]

 

[Themuleous]

It looks horribly like parrots feather to me. Whatever you do, dont put it outside or in the bin. Burn that horrible plant immediately. Its native to South America but from what Ive read is now found all over the world due to humans. Its a very very invasive species that will quickly takeover almost anywhere it is put.

Please dont put it outside you'll never see the end of it.

Sorry, that probably isn't what you want to hear. I really wish people would stop selling it!

Sam

 

[nurglespuss]

Yes that is most definately parrots feather. Fine for your aquarium, but personally I would be careful about its use.

 

[ICEEGRL]

Ok. I get now that it is very invasive. I won't put it out where it could start growing. (even though it is already growing all around here)

Why be careful about its use? What is wrong with it other than being invasive? Could I please get more info?
I am going to look it up and see what I can find out. If you have personal experience with it I would love for you to tell me what you know about it. I was just trying to find something to combat algae. My Son thought this might help. (and it was free)

Thanks for the ID, and any added info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Amerce]

http/www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/weeds/aqua003.html

 

[nurglespuss]

I say be careful about its use, becuase as an aquarist, you regularly dispose of water from the tank, this could result in the unwanted further spread, to new areas where the plant has no yet become established.

 

[frozenbarb]

Parrot feather grows slowy and horrible for me. the bottom starts to rot. and they are so thin.

they are usually floating plants

 

[dasmall1]

llj used it in one of his tanks. It's in the member's photos thread. Post #17 if you wanted to see it used in an aquarium.

 

[ICEEGRL]

I have decided against using it.
What has a similar look that is easily found and easy to grow?
I really like the fluffy hairy look, but can't find any plants that have that look that would grow well in 2 wpg with very little/ no co2.

I got my new vals today. He sent tons extra! I will be hunting him down to order from him again later. They are very healthy too! I am thrilled with them!
I got them late this evening. I put them in some water in buckets for tonight. I will be planting them in the morning.

 

[dasmall1]

You could use hornwort (Ceratophylum demersum or Ceratophylum submersum) or cabomba (Cabomba carolina) to get the same look as parrot's feather, and they are both very easy and will grow nicely in your conditions.

 

[nurglespuss]

Plus as an hilarious aside, you get to say Cabomba - by saying 'CaBUMba'

 

[lljdma06]

llj used it in one of his tanks. It's in the member's photos thread. Post #17 if you wanted to see it used in an aquarium.

Uh, nope, not parrot's feather. I used Myriophylum filigri or aquaticum, a true-aquatic plant that is rather delicate with much, much finer leaves. I don't usually use non-aquatics and I don't really use invasive species since H. polysperma was banned for trade in the US a few years back. The official list is bookmarked in my favorite places, as I live in FL and have to be doubly careful since most of the imports would actually survive in my neck of the woods.

llj

 

[Themuleous]

Hornwort would be a useful alternative and its pretty much impossible to kill be sure to get a native type though

Sam

 

[dasmall1]

llj used it in one of his tanks. It's in the member's photos thread. Post #17 if you wanted to see it used in an aquarium.

Uh, nope, not parrot's feather. I used Myriophylum filigri or aquaticum, a true-aquatic plant that is rather delicate with much, much finer leaves. I don't usually use non-aquatics and I don't really use invasive species since H. polysperma was banned for trade in the US a few years back. The official list is bookmarked in my favorite places, as I live in FL and have to be doubly careful since most of the imports would actually survive in my neck of the woods.

llj

Woops, my mistake. I thought I remembered some discussion about it about a year back, and that's how I knew to look for it. Oh well, when you get old, that's what happens to you!