Starwort - Callitriche stagnalis

[Stella]

Does anyone know the requirements for the above plant?

And is it native or introduced? It is listed as native in the aquatic plant survey, but others suggest it is not native.

http://tinyurl.com/2x7nka

I am considering it for a tank in which to breed native mudfish for a massey university thing. It will possibly have a peat substrate and low light levels. Probably will have some artificial light, but less than usual.

I think because it grows on the surface the light would be ok, and the matty roots and branches would be great spawning media.

Thanks

[Caryl]

According to the FNZAS Plant Survey booklet, starwort is a native with a temp ramge of 10 - 16C. Two kinds of leaves are found, surface floating leaves form bright green rosette clusters and submerged leaves are longer and narrower. It is common along stream margins and/or creeping over mud.

[Zev]

Try here, it suggests it is not NZ native

http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/exotic_plant_li ... eedID=1188

Section 117 of the document below has recorded it growing in a thermal area at 29 degC - probably not too good a temp for mudfish!

http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-B ... dy-d3.html

This paper is quite interesting too.. beware, it is a PDF.

www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/water/lm-a ... -jun02.pdf

[coelacanth]

there are several species of Callitriche in New Zealand (at least seven). Some are native but C.stagnatilis is introduced.