Eriocaulon setaceum

Eriocaulon setaceum

General information: Submerged aquatic annual herb. It is a very attractive species for aquariums. In areas with substrates composed of high levels of leaf mulch it grows approximately 150mm in diameter. In rocky less carbon rich places it is much smaller, about 50 mm in diameter. It is generally found in rocky sandstone escarpment and sandy nutrient poor areas, often in non-permanent wet season pools. It is one of those plants in existence to drive aquarists nuts.

Cultivation notes : It must be grown from seed each year however there is a clever aquarist in Melbourne who has been able to culture this plant vegetatively. In an aquarium it requires strong light. A substrate of 50/50 sand and peat is recommended as well as CO2 pH control where the pH is kept about 6. It grows in very soft water and tends to rot off at the base when nutrient levels are elevated. These notes are for NT specimens.

Distribution : India, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea and in Australia. Northern parts of NT, WA and Qld.

Selling details : Sold as an individual plant washed free of substrate.

Reference: Cowie, Short, Osterkamp Madsen (2000) "Floodplain Flora, a flora of the floodplain of the Northern Territory, Australia"