Description
The name Pellia is familiar to many aquarists because the liverwort species Monosolenium tenerum was originally brought onto the market under the erroneous name Pellia endiviifolia. Also Riccardia species are known in the hobby as "Mini Pellia" or "Coral Pellia". However, our liverwort is the true Pellia endiviifolia, the Endive Pellia. We labeled it as Pellia sp. first but have identified it by comparison with securely determined P. endiviifolia. It appeared spontaneously among mosses in an aquascape that was created with plants and materials from the company ADA. Pellia endiviifolia is widespread in the northern hemisphere, mostly in moist to wet, calcareous and nutrient-rich places, e.g. springs, streambanks and waterfalls in limestone areas. Mostly it is found above water, sometimes also submerged.
The underwater form of Pellia endiviifolia resembles Monosolenium tenerum in size and structure but it is a little smaller, lighter green and more transparent. It differs from the "Subwassertang", Lomariopsis cf. lineata, by thicker, lighter, less rounded thalli and presence of a midrib. Favorable aquarium conditions provided, it forms broad, dense cushions of bifurcated thalli in relatively short time.
The true Pellia endiviifolia presents an attractive, lighter green alternative to Monosolenium tenerum. In the foreground or midground or on the hardscape of well lit aquariums, its freshly green cushions are an eyecatcher and contrast well with e.g. dark green mosses. Grown emersed, the Endive Pellia should also be interesting for paludariums and Wabi-Kusa.
Characteristic
Freshly green liverwort
Lighter green and smaller than Monosolenium tenerum
Forms dense cushions
Not in trade elsewhere
Category
Epiphytes
Carbon Dioxide
need
