Description
This tall rush species with fine culms was already imported to Europe in the 1990s as Eleocharis sp. "Xingu". The trading name suggests that it was originally found in the Rio Xingú area in Brazil, however no exact information about its ecact origin is available. Until now it is not determined to species. It is similar to Eleocharis sp. "montevidensis" but seems to belong to another species.
Under water, the Xingú hairgrass develops 30-50 cm long and at most 1 mm wide, light to medium green culms. It forms tuft-like stands but also underground runners with spaced culms. In the terrestrial form, the culms stay shorter and develop a small, light brown, egg-shaped spikelet on the tip. Black, germinable seeds develop in the spikelets. When emersed plants are set into the water, plantlets may form on the spikelets, similar to Eleocharis vivipara. However, in its submerged form Eleocharis sp. "Xingu" does not form spikelets and young plants on the culm tips.
Good lighting, CO2 supply and nutrient-rich bottom are recommendable, otherwise it has no special demands. According to Dennerle company, its temperature range is 16-28℃. Newly planted Xingú hairgrass often takes some time to acclimatize and to start to grow. When it grows well, the runners have to be reduced from time to time. We do not recommend to prune too long culms because the cut ends get yellow and unsightly. One should keep in mind the maximum height of the plant before using it for the aquarium design.
As well as Eleocharis sp. "montevidensis", E. sp. "Xingu" has a particular habit that makes it intersting for the aquascaping. It has the appearance of reed or flooded grassland. Sometimes similar Eleocharis stands are shown in underwater shots of natural biotopes in South America. With its height, it looks best in at least 50 cm tall tanks. In lower water, the culms grow out of the water or lay down and float along the surface.
Also for emersed setups, this rush species may be interesting. As terrestrial plant, it forms dense tufts with arching culms.
Characteristic
Tall plant with fine culms
Reed-like habit
No high demands
Category
Middle Ground
Carbon Dioxide
need
