AQUATIC PLANTS OF FRESHWATER 



FIG. 138. Frog-hit, HydrocAaria morsus-rana. Reduced one-third. 



root and propagates both by seed and by summer runners, upon which 

 buds are developed which become young plants. The kidneyshaped leaves 

 grow on long stems, and the i % inch in diameter flowers have three petals 



upon an erect scape. 

 It is fairly hardy and 

 easy to propagate in 

 ponds in a mild climate, 

 but does not thrive well 

 in the household aqua- 

 rium. Many of the 

 water insects and most 

 of the pond snails at- 

 tack, its leaves. At 

 the approach of cold 

 weather the leaves de- 

 cay and the winter 

 buds sink to the bot- 

 tom of the pond, to 

 rise to the surface with the advent of warm weather. The plant is sub- 

 tropical and will not survive very cold weather. Of the floating plants it 

 is one of the largest fancied by aquariist, and the fine white blossoms are 

 attractive and of pretty form. In the greenhouse the plant survives for 

 years. May be had of dealers. A similar plant, the American Frog-bit, 

 Limnobium spongia, having dark-green heartshaped leaves, purplish on the 

 under side, is a desirable greenhouse plant, but also will not thrive in the 

 household aquarium. 



WATER HYACINTH 



The Water hyacinth, £«VMor«w, is steadily growing in favor with the 

 breeder of the goldfish, as it one of the best spawning plants, in addition 

 to its curious and handsome appearance. The thick floating leaf stalks 

 and dark green, burnished leaves, the long trailing roots, and the beautiful 

 flowers, give it a most ornate appearance. It propagates by seeds and 

 buds which again develop young plants before separating from the parent 

 plant, so that a single Water hyacinth may be developed into many hun- 

 dreds in a single summer. It is native to a warm climate and difficult to 

 keep over the winter in a cold one, even in the greenhouse. As a shade 

 plant, in the open-air, it is to be recommended, and the easy facility for 

 the removal of goldfish spawn to hatching dishes, which it affords, is a 

 great advantage in its use as a s-pawning plant. In Florida it has become a 

 plague, as it propagates in such numbers that it chokes the channels 



