Among aquarium plants, there are real stars that can turn your home pond into a work of art. One such star is Proserpinaca palustris. At first glance, this plant is mesmerizing: its carved, needle-like leaves, reminiscent of either miniature fir trees or corals, create the mood of a mysterious underwater forest in the aquarium.
But to see this beauty in all its fairy-tale splendor, the plant needs special conditions. In nature, it lives in swamps, and in an aquarium, it also demands attention. Good lighting, carbon dioxide supply, and proper fertilizers are the keys to success. Then Proserpinaca responds with a stunning transformation, coloring its upper leaves in rich copper, orange, and pinkish hues.
For its capricious nature and unearthly beauty, it has been nicknamed the “swamp mermaid.” This name perfectly reflects its essence: it is beautiful, a little demanding, and capable of becoming the magical centerpiece of any underwater composition, even the most artificial one. Working with this plant is a dialogue with living nature that brings incredible aesthetic pleasure to every aquarist.
Plant description
In addition to its original coloration, it is valued for its unusual and rare leaf shape, reminiscent of a fir tree, which is rare for aquarium plants.
There are several varieties in the genus:
The plant is very sensitive to water conditions, forming new shapes.
Proserpinaca palustris, unlike other members of the genus, has three subspecies:
- Proserpinaca palustris var. amblyogona Fern;
- Proserpinaca palustris var. palustris L;
- Proserpinaca palustris var. crebra Fern. & Grisc.
It is often found under the name Proserpinaca palustris “Cuba,” but this is a commercial name.
The above-water form of the plant, unlike the underwater form, is inconspicuous. The leaf plates are olive-colored and blend in with the green biomass.
It is noteworthy that in its natural habitat it is considered a weed. But when submerged, this beauty becomes the highlight of any aquarium.
The unusual coloration of Proserpinaca deserves special attention.
The orange and red colors are due to the pigment carotene, and the yellow color is due to xanthophyll.
To maintain the richness of the color, it is necessary to monitor the acidity of the aquatic environment, but more on that later.
Proserpinaca palustris is not a mythical mermaid, but a real plant, a carnivorous orchid that lives in swamps and other wet places. It looks fragile and beautiful, with delicate flowers, but it catches and digests small insects. It inhabits artificially created reservoirs and peat pits, where there are few nutrients, which is why it has adapted to “hunting.” Its appearance in such unnatural places is a rare example of how nature finds a way even in conditions altered by humans.
Plant morphology
In natural conditions, Proserpinia palustris has saw-shaped leaf plates, which radically change shape after being transplanted into an aquarium.
Main characteristics:
- Subclass: Rosids.
- Order — Sweet tooth.
- Family — Sweet tooth.
- Height — up to 40 cm.
- Bush width — up to 15 cm.
- The leaves are elongated, comb-like, and serrated. Their shape resembles needles that fan out around the stem. They can be found with both small serrations and deep cuts. They reach 4 cm in length and 3 cm in width.
- The internode is 2 to 3 cm, but the stem looks lush.
In its above-water form, Proserpinaca palustris blooms. The inflorescences do not have decorative qualities.
Distribution
This species was first discovered on the Cuban island of Isla de la Juventud. It grows mainly in Central and North America and on the atolls of the Caribbean Sea.
It prefers areas with high humidity and muddy soil: ditches, ponds, swampy reservoirs, and streams.
Growing and care
Opinions differ on the difficulty of growing Proserpinaca palustris. However, most aquarists consider it to be of medium difficulty.
Beginners are advised to gain experience before attempting to grow “marsh mermaids.”
You need to focus on the following points:
- The plant should be placed in medium or large tanks. It is too large for nano aquariums.
- The color of the leaf plates is determined by the quality of lighting, and the dissection of the leaves is determined by its duration.
- Proserpinac Palustris can be grown in aquariums and humid greenhouses. The preferred planting plan is medium. It should be planted in an open area so that it is not shaded by long-stemmed plants in the background.
- This plant helps to create the underwater illusion of a coniferous forest.
- The main difficulty in cultivation is rooting. When transplanting, extreme care should be taken when handling the roots, which are sensitive to any mechanical damage.
- Proserpinac reacts poorly to a new location. The acclimatization period takes up to 10 days. At this stage, they grow very slowly, and the leaf plates become smaller.
- In an unbalanced aquatic environment, they change their growth point and begin to bush.
- In poor conditions, the plant becomes “fat” and loses its decorative qualities. The stem becomes twice as dense, and the leaves turn from copper to olive.
- When the leaf blades reach the water surface, they need to be trimmed.
- The plant feels comfortable in herbariums with lush vegetation and is not afraid of stagnant areas.
Prozerpinaki Palustris has one interesting feature. Even if you plant a specimen with a thick stem and faded leaves, after cuttings, bushes with feathery reddish foliage on a thin base will grow.
Optimal water parameters
It is necessary to replace 1/3 of the total volume of water with water of similar characteristics on a weekly basis.
Recommended parameters:
- temperature — 22-28°C;
- hardness — 2-12° dH;
- acidity pH — 6.5-7.5;
- CO2 — 20-40 mg/l;
- water column — up to 40 cm.
The carbon dioxide content in the aquatic environment indirectly affects the color of plants with red or yellow leaves. However, with lighting of more than 1 W/l, additional CO2 supply is necessary.
Particular attention should be paid to water hardness. It is this parameter that affects the color of Proserpinia palustris. Magnesium is part of the coloring pigments, and without calcium, it is not absorbed.
Red plants demonstrate their best decorative qualities in hard water with a kH value greater than 6. In softer water, their color fades and the upper leaves curl.
Lighting requirements
As the intensity of light increases, the process of carotene synthesis improves, which affects the saturation of color. It is important to understand that it is the brightness of the lighting, not the duration, that has a positive effect on the appearance of the plant.
Therefore, the best effect can be achieved by exposing the plant to powerful lamps for 7-8 hours, rather than weak lighting devices that last for 12 hours. Prozerpinaca Palustris prefers powerful lighting — 40-80 Lm/l. The spectrum is also important. It is advisable to use cool white lamps.
This plant does not respond well to shading. In addition to placing it in an open area, you should include side lighting, which will illuminate the lower leaves and prevent them from falling off.
Soil requirements
- It does not grow well in soil that is not enriched with nutrients. This is because it obtains all the substances necessary for life from the soil.
- It is preferable to use coarse river sand mixed with fine gravel. In addition, it should be well silted.
Need for feeding
- In order for the plant to constantly delight the eye with its beautiful colors, it is necessary to regularly feed it with microfertilizers, which are rich in iron and calcium. Otherwise, the leaves will fade and fall off.
- Proserpinaca Palustris is not demanding on phosphates, but reacts negatively to excess nitrates, which lead to the appearance of green spots.
Features of reproduction
They reproduce by cuttings. To get a new bush, you need to cut off the top of an adult plant, about 10 cm in size. This should be done when it reaches the surface of the water. The cuttings should be placed 5 cm apart.
Variations in name
Proserpina Paliustris is also known as
- Mermaid weed;
- Proserpina Palustris “Cuba” (commercial name).
In English transcription — Mermaid Weed.
Proserpina Paliustris is an amazing plant that can transform any aquarium. Its graceful, carved leaves create a real lace in the water, giving the underwater landscape depth and mystery.
Despite its fairy-tale appearance, this “marsh mermaid” requires attention and care. Bright light, nutritious soil, and carbon dioxide will help it reveal its full beauty. In return, it will become the main decoration of your artificial biotope.
Growing this plant is a dialogue with nature. Watching it change shape and color depending on the conditions, you will discover the underwater world in a new way. Proserpinaca proves that even in glass shores, you can create a piece of living, dynamic natural harmony.
