Lilaeopsis brasiliensis 

Description

A beautiful green plant which forms a thick carpet
A good foreground plant but is definitely grows in a slow pace when compared to other foreground plants
Free from algae and snails

Family: Apiceae

Scientific Name: Lilaeopsis brasiliensis

Also known as: Brazilian Micro Sword. Some times it is incorrectly listed as Lilaeposis novae-zelandiae. The original L. novae-zelandiae, as the name suggests, comes from New Zealand and is actually a brackish water species.

Type: fore-ground covering plant

Origins: South Eastern Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina

Ecology: Grows on banks for slow flowing rivers, in marshes, ponds, upto an altitude of 1200 m (C kasselmann)

Growth: Slow

Height: approx. 6 cm

Light: High

CO2 demand: High

Lilaeopsis brasiliensis from South America can grow very densely, but needs very intensive light to form a good carpet. For this reason, Lilaeopsis ought to be planted in the open, without shade, so it gets sufficient light.
They can grow in a variety of water condition both hard and soft. Temperature within the range of 22 – 26 degree centigrade is preferable. A nutrient rich substrate is also needed. Some literature (https://bantam.earth/brazilian-micro-sword-lilaeopsis-brasiliensis/) suggests not to use this species while the aquarium is being cycled as it’s anti-bacterial properties can disrupt the bacterial cycle and inhibits stabilization of the aquarium.

Aquascaping tip
If not for it’s slow growth in aquariums, L. brasiliensis with it’s 2-3 mm narrow green leaves, could have been one of the most popular carpeting or foreground plants. As this species also needs very high light to achieve, it’s a great choice for “Iwagumi” layouts. With hair grass in the back and L. brasiliensisi in the front a sense of depth can be achieved. It’s a great choice for paludarium use with roots underwater and the leaves exposed.

Terrarium use: No
Paludarium use: Yes

Packing
Tissue Cultured Cup (TC)