Salvinia auriculata 'Giant' Care Guide
Large growth form of the floating fern Salvinia auriculata with paired velvety leaves, providing strong surface shading and nutrient uptake.
Overview
Salvinia auriculata 'Giant' is a larger growth form of the floating fern Salvinia auriculata, in the family Salviniaceae. Salvinia species carry leaves in groups of three: two flat, green floating leaves covered in water-repellent hairs (trichomes), and a third finely dissected, root-like submerged leaf, since the genus has no true roots. The 'Giant' form has larger paired leaves and provides dense surface shading.
Taxonomy
- Family: Salviniaceae
- Genus: Salvinia
- Scientific name: Salvinia auriculata 'Giant'
- Common name: Giant Salvinia, eared watermoss
Habitat
Salvinia auriculata is native to the Americas, ranging from Mexico south to Argentina and Chile. It is a floating aquatic fern that varies in size depending on how crowded it grows. The species has a documented history as an invasive plant outside its native range.
Tank requirements
- Light: medium
- CO2: not required
- Temperature: 22-30 °C (72-86 °F)
- pH: 5.5-7.5
- GH: 2-16 °dGH
- Placement: floating
- Growth rate: fast
Care and growth
Salvinia grows quickly and forms dense mats over still water, which strongly shades the tank and exports nutrients. Floating cover should be thinned regularly to keep light reaching plants below and to prevent the surface from being fully sealed. The water-repellent leaf surface means the leaves should be kept dry on top; keep moisture and condensation from sitting on them.
Propagation
Salvinia reproduces vegetatively by fragmentation: pieces of the creeping stem separate and grow into new plants. The genus also produces spores of two sizes in structures called sporocarps, though vegetative spread dominates in aquariums.