Dwarf Hairgrass, Needle spikerush
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Eleocharis acicularis. MP and C. Piednoir
Overview
This is a grassy herb that grows flowering stems without true leaves. The flowers, that grow emersed are tiny, white blossoms that show up from June to October.
Family: Cyperaceae
Other common name(s):
- Needle Spikerush.
Native range:
- Europe
- North Africa
- Asia
- Australia
- North America
- South America
Habitat: Moist shoreline areas. pH: neutral to slightly acidic; hardness: moderately soft to moderately hard.
Maximum height: 50 cm (20 in)
Lighting: intense
Water: Freshwater 18 °C (64 °F) - 28 °C (82 °F)
Feeding
No special requirements.
Special Care
Keep the water flow fairly slow, but keep debris out of the “lawn.” Corydoras catfishes will help keep the rushes clear of waste matter that could smother the plant. Be careful of mosses and algae that are apt to become entangled with the Hairgrass and could smother it. Remove the strange plants manually.
Breeding/Propagation
Runners. Dense plantings can be separated and replanted, which will result in a growth spurt for all the plants.
Notes
Dwarf Hairgrass is very highly thought of by the admirers of Mr. Takashi Amano’s style of aquascaping, where natural scenes are artistically reproduced in the aquarium by different plant species. Contrast in shape and color is celebrated through the use of metaphor. In one design, the Hairgrass is placed so it looks like rushes at the edge of a pond and the small, dark fishes swimming above simulated a flock of shore birds.