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Limnobium spongia - American frogbit

Limnobium spongia
Grenouillette spongieuse d'Amérique du Nord, Morène américaine

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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty

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Perennial aquatic plant, very decorative, vigorous, and even invasive. However, it is no longer as common in France due to the endangerment of its habitat. Very useful for oxygenating and purifying water in ponds. Flowering in June and July: the flowers, reduced to their bare minimum, are green. The small leaves are a magnificent green.
Height at maturity
5 cm
Spread at maturity
60 cm
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to 4°C
Soil moisture
Damp soil
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Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to May
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Description

Hippuris vulgaris is a perennial aquatic plant that is highly decorative, with vigorous growth, and can even be invasive in a pond. However, it is no longer common in France due to the threat to its habitat. It is not often used in domestic ponds, which is a shame because it can be very useful for oxygenating and purifying the water. It flowers in June and July, in the most limited way possible: the flowers, reduced to their bare minimum, are green. The small leaves are a beautiful shade of green.

Hippuris vulgaris belongs to the plantain family. It is a cosmopolitan plant, native to Europe and Asia. The mare's-tail is found in fresh water in ditches, lakes, ponds, and calm rivers. It is a perennial with a horizontal rhizome and tall stems from 20 to 50 cm (8 to 20in) tall, erect, simple, partly aerial, cylindrical, and hollow. The leaves are sessile, linear, entire, and without stipules. The flowers are hermaphroditic, greenish, small, and sessile, appearing in whorls in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a slightly fleshy, ovoid drupe, about the size of a millet seed. The common mare's-tail develops its leaves in spring, which then die in autumn during frosts. It overwinters at the bottom of the pond in the form of rhizomes.

If the water depth is greater than 60 cm (24in), it is a completely submerged plant. It can develop a significant water plant community composed of a group of flexible, completely aquatic stems. If the depth is less than 60 cm (24in), the tips of the stems protrude from the water, resembling miniature fir trees, bright green and very striking. The leaves are shorter, rounded in section, and much firmer.

Install the Mare's-tail between 5 cm (2in) and 30 cm (12in) of water if you want to enjoy its emergent form. The plant prefers slightly alkaline or calcareous water. Using a container can limit its width in the beginning, but it often ends up growing out of it. This mare's-tail tends to spread a lot, so the solution is to remove a portion of it every year, which is not difficult. This operation helps prevent eutrophication of the pond (excessive nitrates, sediment, etc.). It is a way to balance the ecosystem.

The mare's-tail is an excellent oxygenating plant, with significant ecological value as it is very beneficial to aquatic fauna and less invasive than most others. Its emerging "fir trees" are of great value to aquatic life in general. These zones of exchange between the aerial environment and the water provide a privileged spot for dragonfly molting or amphibian resting. In the submerged part, invertebrates thrive, and fish come to spawn; fry and tadpoles find a safe haven there.

Not producing roots on the green stems, it is much easier to contain within a submerged pot or planter as it only proliferates through its rhizomes. As a nutrient-demanding plant, Mare's-tail also contributes to water purification by assimilating a portion of excessive nutrients: it absorbs a lot of nitrates and phosphates to support its rapid growth. Its withered stems can be used as green fertilizer to spread on another part of the garden.

Etymology of the name Hippuris: derived from Hippos = horse and Oura = tail, alluding to the terrestrial form of the plant.

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 5 cm
Spread at maturity 60 cm
Growth rate fast
Suckering/invasive plant

Botanical data

Genus

Limnobium

Species

spongia

Family

Hydrocharitaceae

Other common names

Grenouillette spongieuse d'Amérique du Nord, Morène américaine

Botanical synonyms

Hydrocharis spongia

Origin

North America

Product reference21605

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Planting and care

Install the horsetail between 5 cm (2in) and 30 cm (12in) of water to enjoy its emergent form. The plant prefers slightly alkaline or limestone water. Using a container helps limit its width growth initially, but it often ends up spreading out. This plant tends to spread a lot, and the solution is to remove a part of it every year, which is not difficult. To do this, shake the stems well above the water to let the insects and other small animals that inhabit them descend. Removing a bit of its mass every year helps prevent the eutrophication of the pond (excessive nitrate, silt, etc.). It's a way to balance the environment.

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Planting period

Best planting time April to May
Recommended planting time March to May

Intended location

Suitable for Pond edge, Pond
Hardiness Hardy down to 4°C (USDA zone 11) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy)
Soil moisture Damp soil, swampy

Care

Pruning No pruning necessary
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Needs to be stored

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