Ottelia alismoides Care Guide
Ottelia alismoides (duck lettuce) is an aquatic plant of the family Hydrocharitaceae with rosettes of broad leaves and white floating flowers, native to Asia and northern Australia.
Overview
Ottelia alismoides, known as duck lettuce, is an aquatic plant in the family Hydrocharitaceae with the binomial authority (L.) Pers. It forms rosettes of broad, heart-shaped leaves and produces white flowers that float at the surface. The species is notable for unusual carbon metabolism mechanisms and has had its genome sequenced for research and conservation.
Taxonomy
- Family: Hydrocharitaceae
- Genus: Ottelia
- Scientific name: Ottelia alismoides
- Common name: Duck lettuce
Origin
The species is native to Asia and northern Australia. It is widespread but listed as endangered in China and Japan owing to habitat loss, and is regarded as an invasive weed in parts of America.
Habitat
It grows in still and slow-moving fresh waters such as rice paddies and ponds, rooting in the substrate and forming submerged rosettes whose flowers reach the surface.
Tank requirements
- Temperature: 22-28 °C (optimal 22-26 °C)
- pH: 6.0-7.8
- GH: 4-16 °dGH
- Lighting: high
- CO2: not strictly required; tolerates 10-40 mg/L
- Substrate: nutrient-rich
- Maximum height: about 60 cm
- Placement: background
Planting & care
The plant is rooted in nutrient-rich substrate and given strong light. Growth can be fast under good conditions. Its rosette habit and surface flowers make it a striking background species, though it benefits from stable parameters.
Propagation
Propagation is by seed; the plant can also be increased by splitting and removing daughter plants.
Difficulty
The species is rated intermediate. Strong light and a rich substrate are needed for healthy rosette growth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (3.1), though regional populations in China and Japan are endangered.