Heteranthera dubia Water stargrass

The Water stargrass is a relative of Heteranthera zosterifolia but far less known in the aquarium hobby. Heteranthera dubia, also known as Zosterella dubia, is a very easy but rarely available aquarium plant. This aquatic plant occurs from eastern North America to Central America in standing and flowing waters. Its long stems grow loosely upright with many branches. The ribbon-shaped, soft, light to pale green submerged leaves are about 5-12 cm long and 4 mm wide. When the plant is not trimmed, it forms a flooding thicket on the water surface. Then one can expext its nice yellow flowers with six narrow tepals. When in bloom, the flooding swathes look as if they are scattered with small yellow stars. Heteranthera dubia is a very easy plant that also grows very fast. It tolerates soft water and also grows very well with high KH, with pH values from 5 to 9. CO₂ addition is not necessary but enhances its already fast growth. The Water stargrass is suitable for cold as well as warm water tanks; the optimum temperatures lie between 15 and 27℃. As well as other stem plants, it is easily propagated by cuttings. This stem plant has a grass-like, modest appearance. It resembles narrow-leaved pondweed (Potamogeton) species or flooding grasses. Flooding swathes of Heteranthera dubia provide shelter for fish. It is a versatile plant, useful e.g. for biotope aquaria and breeding tanks. In open tanks and in the water part of paludariums, its yellow, star-shaped flowers are beautiful to look at.

Also known as Zosterella dubia Undemanding Very fast growing Grass-like, light green leaves Yellow, star-shaped flowers

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