Eriocaulon sp. Vietnam

Awesome Blyxa japanoica alternative

Eriocaulon sp. "Vietnam" is an easy aquarium plant - in contrast to a number of other Eriocaulon rarities in the aquarium hobby. This plant was originally found in the Vietnamese province Thanh Hoa. It is a medium-sized, about 15-30 cm tall Eriocaulon with relatively broad, medium-green, arching leaves, resembling Eriocaulon sp. "Goias".

This grass-like plant still grows with medium lighting and is even said to be suitable for hard water. However, a nutrient-rich substrate and a not too low CO₂ concentration in the water column (at least 20 mg/l) are surely very conducive for its growth. With time, this plant forms a dense "grass tussock" with a number of leaf rosettes and can be divided into several single plants for propagation. Additionally, the plant occasionally develops submerged inflorescences with adventitious plantlets. These can be detached and planted when they have grown some roots.

Eriocaulon sp. "Vietnam" can be used in aquascaping similarly to Blyxa japonica - e.g. as a meadow-like stand in the midground, linking the background with low groundcovers in the foreground, or as scattered tufts between hardscape elements. In contrast to similar rosette plants such as Sagittaria subulata or Helanthium bolivianum, it does not develop runners, making its handling easy. This undemanding Eriocaulon surely deserves a wide distribution in the aquarium hobby.