Chara vulgaris Care Guide
Chara vulgaris, the common stonewort, is a calcified charophyte green alga of the family Characeae that thrives in hard, alkaline fresh water.
Overview
Chara vulgaris, the common stonewort, is a charophyte green alga rather than a true vascular plant, classified in the family Characeae. It superficially resembles a higher plant, with stem-like axes and whorls of branchlets, but is encrusted with calcium carbonate that gives it a rough, stony texture. It was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
Taxonomy
- Division: Charophyta
- Class: Charophyceae
- Family: Characeae
- Genus: Chara
- Scientific name: Chara vulgaris
- Common name: Common stonewort
Origin
The genus Chara is cosmopolitan, occurring from arctic Norway to sub-Antarctic regions, and is particularly associated with limestone areas of the northern temperate zone. C. vulgaris is widely distributed across these freshwater habitats.
Habitat
Stoneworts grow submerged, attached to muddy bottoms by branching rhizoids, and favour hard water with lower oxygen levels. The calcium-depositing metabolism can produce a distinctive smell of hydrogen sulfide, and the surfaces are often colonized by cyanobacteria.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 10-24 °C (coldwater)
- pH: 7.0-8.5
- GH: 8-25 °dGH
- Lighting: medium
- CO2: not required
- Substrate: any (anchors by rhizoids)
- Maximum height: about 30 cm
- Placement: background
Planting & care
The alga anchors to soft substrate by rhizoids and is suited to hard, alkaline coldwater aquaria and ponds. It has a low nutrient demand and does not require CO2. The calcified whorls are brittle, so it is handled gently and thinned periodically.
Propagation
Propagation in cultivation is by division of established clumps.
Difficulty
The species is rated intermediate. It is undemanding for light and nutrients but requires hard, alkaline water and cooler temperatures to thrive.