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Species
Ceratophyllum demersum var. apiculatum (Cham.) Garcke
IUCN
NCBI
EOL Text
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Global Distribution
Cosmopolitan
Indian distribution
State - Kerala, District/s: Alappuzha
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Fresh to slightly brackish rivers, streams, ditches, lakes, ponds, pools, marshes, swamps; 0-1700m.
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The preference is full sun and relatively clear water up to 9' deep that has adequate levels of nutrients; water pH can be mildly acidic to alkaline. At the water's bottom, the soil should consist of mud, sandy mud, or muddy gravel. Coontail is more tolerant of shade than the majority of aquatic plants and it is able to tolerate some turbidity in the water if it is not excessive. This aquatic plant can adapt to sites with either stagnant water or slow-moving currents where there is some protection from wind and waves. Because of its phytotoxic properties, Coontail can inhibit the growth of phytoplankton and blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). At some locations, it can spread aggressively and become a pest.
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Rights holder/Author | Copyright © 2002-2014 by Dr. John Hilty |
Source | http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wetland/plants/coontail.html |
Nile and Mediterranean regions, eastern desert (along Suez Canal).
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Rights holder/Author | Bibliotheca Alexandrina, BA Cultnat, Bibliotheca Alexandrina - EOL Ar |
Source | http://lifedesk.bibalex.org/ba/pages/2345 |
Depth range based on 8 specimens in 1 taxon.
Environmental ranges
Depth range (m): 2 - 2
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.
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Rights holder/Author | Ocean Biogeographic Information System |
Source | http://www.iobis.org/mapper/?taxon_id=783329 |
Ceratophyllum demersum (hornwort, rigid hornwort,[1] coontail, or coon's tail[2]) is a species of Ceratophyllum. It is a submerged, free-floating aquatic plant, with a cosmopolitan distribution, native to all continents except Antarctica. It is a harmful introduced weed in New Zealand.[2] It is also a popular aquarium plant.
Contents
Description[edit]
Ceratophyllum dersum grows in still or very slow-moving water. The stems reach lengths of 1–3 m, with numerous side shoots making a single specimen appear as a large, bushy mass. The leaves are produced in whorls of six to twelve, each leaf 8–40 mm long, simple, or forked into two to eight thread-like segments edged with spiny teeth; they are stiff and brittle. It is monoecious, with separate male and female flowers produced on the same plant. The flowers are small, 2 mm long, with eight or more greenish-brown petals; they are produced in the leaf axils. The fruit is a small nut 4–5 mm long, usually with three spines, two basal and one apical, 1–12 mm long. Plants with the two basal nut spines very short are sometimes distinguished as Ceratophyllum demersum var. apiculatum (Cham.) Asch., and those with no basal spines sometimes distinguished as Ceratophyllum demersum var. inerme Gay ex Radcl.-Sm.[3][4][5][6][7] It can form turions: buds that sink to the bottom of the water that stay there during the winter and form new plants in spring.
Distribution and habitat[edit]
Ceratophyllum demersum grows in lakes, ponds, and quiet streams with summer water temperatures of 15-30 °C[citation needed] and a rich nutrient status. In North America, it occurs in the entire US and Canada, except Newfoundland.[8] In Europe, it has been reported as far north as at a latitude of 66 degrees in Norway.[9] Other reported occurrences include China, Siberia (at 66 degrees North), Burkina Faso (Africa), Vietnam, and New Zealand (introduced).[10]
Ecology[edit]
C. demersum has allelopathic qualities as it excretes substances that inhibit the growth of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).[2][11] Its dense growth can outcompete native underwater vegetation, leading to loss of biodiversity. In New Zealand, it has caused problems with hydroelectric power plants.[2]
Cultivation and uses[edit]
This species is often used as a floating freshwater plant in both coldwater and tropical aquaria. Though without roots, it may attach itself to the substrate or objects in the aquarium. Its fluffy, filamentous, bright-green green leaves provide excellent cover for newly hatched fish. It is propagated by cuttings.[12]
In aquaria this plant appears to drop all its leaves when exposed to products designed to kill snails. The stems can recover relatively quickly, growing new leaves within a few weeks.
Invasive species[edit]
Hornwort is a declared weed under the Tasmanian Weed Management Act 1999 in Tasmania, Australia,[13] and is classed as an unwanted organism in New Zealand.[14]
References[edit]
- ^ "BSBI List 2007" (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
- ^ a b c d Ceratophyllum Demersum on the Global Invasive Species database (2006).
- ^ Flora of China: Ceratophyllum demersum
- ^ Flora of North America: Ceratophyllum demersum
- ^ Flora of NW Europe: Ceratophyllum demersum
- ^ Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). Flora of Britain and Northern Europe. ISBN 0-340-40170-2
- ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
- ^ USDA PLANTS database on C. demersum as of 2011.
- ^ ISSG database, reports in Norway (based on Mjelde, 1997)
- ^ ISSG: distribution of C. demersum
- ^ http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Algae/cyanobacteria.html#4
- ^ Hiscock, P. (2003). Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants. Interpret Publishing, United States and Canada ISBN 0-7641-5521-0.
- ^ "Hornwort". Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
- ^ "Hornwort". MPI Biosecurity New Zealand. 29 May 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ceratophyllum demersum. |
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Cosmopolitan.
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Source | http://lifedesk.bibalex.org/ba/pages/2345 |
Streams, ponds, lakes. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jilin, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan, Zhejiang [Cosmopolitan].
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Specimens of Ceratophyllum demersum with short basal spines or tubercles have been misidentified as C . submersum Linnaeus, a species not known in the New World despite reports to the contrary. Ceratophyllum demersum is the most common species of Ceratophyllum in North America and also the least likely to be found with fruit, its reproduction being primarily asexual. Predominantly low leaf order is, therefore, the most reliable means of identifying this species.
Noted for its prolific growth, Ceratophyllum demersum occasionally has attained status as a serious weed.
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Rights holder/Author | eFloras.org Copyright © Missouri Botanical Garden |
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Alta., B.C., Man., N.B., N.W.T., N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Que., Sask., Yukon; Ala., Alaska, Ariz., Ark., Calif., Colo., Conn., Del., D.C., Fla., Ga., Idaho, Ill., Ind., Iowa, Kans., Ky., La., Maine, Md., Mass., Mich., Minn., Miss., Mo., Mont., Nebr., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Mex., N.Y., N.C., N.Dak., Ohio, Okla., Oreg., Pa., R.I., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Tex., Utah, Vt., Va., Wash., W.Va., Wis., Wyo.; worldwide.
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Source | http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200007091 |