Genus:
glossostigma
Type:
Australian tongue leaf (Glossostigma elatinoides)
Family:
Figwort family
Hometown:
Australia and New Zealand
Height of root:
2 to 5 centimeters
Light:
light to very light
Growth:
fast
pH:
5.0 to 7.5
Degree of hardness:
very soft to medium
CO2:
20 to 30 milligrams per liter
propagation:
Daughter plants, cutting off the side shoots
Difficulty:
difficult to very difficult
Location in the aquarium:
The plant forms a cushion in the foreground or covers the ground in bright places.
Look
The plant forms stems lying on the ground. The spatulate, light green leaves grow opposite. They are 8 millimeters long and 4 millimeters wide. When growing above the water surface, small flowers appear.
distribution
The Australian tongue leaf inhabits floodplains of lakes and rivers as well as swamps. It can live both in and above the water.
husbandry conditions
The Australian tongue leaf can cover the bottom of the aquarium. It must not be in the shade of other plants. It also requires phosphate, nitrate and iron. If there is a lack of nitrate, the leaves turn yellow. The plant sheds old leaves prematurely. If the Australian tongue leaf receives too little phosphate, it will only grow very slowly. It turns dark green. If there is a lack of iron, the leaves develop transparent spots.
The individual stems of the plant are lowered so deep into the ground that only 2 to 3 leaves protrude. The stems form cushions that quickly grow together.
The Australian tongue blade thrives well in soft water with a high level of CO2.
particularities
The Australian tongue leaf is one of the lowest plants for the aquarium. If the Australian tongue leaf does not receive enough light, the plant grows tall. The stems of the plant break easily.