
AQUATIC PLANTS OF FRESHWATER 

broader, fuller and more pointed than those of quiet or stagnant water, 
which probably caused it to be considered a different species. It is a 
very pretty aquarium plant but dificult to maintain in satisfactory condi- 
tion, except with such fishes as will not molest it, 
Anacharis canadensis gigantea or Elodea canadensis gigantea ( Hott.) 
Fig. 124, is a cultivated species derived from 4. canadensis, the most gen- 
erally distributed native form. It has a thick jointed stem and leaves 
1 to 1% inches long, in 
whorls of 4 to 8, with a 
MN 
SAS DY» dense cluster of the long 
ARI) WALL ZZYZS slender leaves at the ends 
cA { WANS == = 
: \\ SSre of the stalks. It usually 
“i. grows without much branch- 


ing. In general appearance 
it considerably resembles 
Hippuris and is an attrac- 
tive aquarium plant which 
grows to a length of 3 to 4 
feet below and on the sur- 
face of the water. Its color 
is a delicate greyish-green, 
the younger growth usually 
a bright green, sometimes 
marked with white. Less 
fragile than 4. canadensis, 
it is a good oxygenator, of 
most rapid growth, which 
thrives with or without 
roots, set directly in the 

FIG. 124 Giant Anacharis, Anacharis canandensis gigantea, Hort. pebbles or sand or in small 
Reduced one-third, : : 
pots with soil. May be 
had of dealers in aquatic plants. In small aquaria, intended for the pro- 
pagation of aquarium snails, it is preferable to most of the other aquatic 
plants. Together with Cabomba it is easiest to be obtained, and is a most 
satisfactory plant for the novice in aquarium study. 
CERATOPHYLLUM 
This generally distributed aquatic weed, commonly known as Horn- 
wort, is free-suspended in every stage of development and is shifted in 
position by every current, though the submerged species of this genus 
mostly occur in slow streams and still water. Absorption is carried on by 
197 
