Babys Tears

To: aquatic-plants at actwin_com
Subject: Babys Tears
From: stevensj at calshp_cals.wisc.edu
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 95 13:26:46 CDT
Mailer: Elm [revision: 70.85.2.1]
> From: krandall at world_std.com (Karen A Randall)
> Date: Tue, 5 Sep 1995 23:24:57 -0400
> Subject: Re: Aquatic Plants Digest V1 #291
>
> Subject: Micranthenum spec.
>
> Dan,
> 
> > On page 111 of TOA Horst & Kipper have a photo of a smallish
> > (mid-tank) plant with lanceolate leaves they call Micanthenum
> > umbrosum. Amano uses this plant as well in many of his tanks. Dennerle
> > lists several Micanthenum spec. (M 30 - M 33) and gives them the
> > common name of `Helzine' and says they orginate from America. However,
> > if you open Yoshimo/Kobayashi's "The Natural Aquarium" you'll see what
> > appears to be the same plant called Hemianthus micranthemoides. And James
> > does not include this plant in his book.
> > 
> > Do any of you have any experience with this plant and know where I
> > might get some? (Since it's suppose to be an American plant you would
> > think I would have seen it before, but I haven't.) What is it's correct na
 
> > On a whim I just opened Baensch and found some of the info I was
> > looking for - Micranthemum micranthemoides is a synonym for Hemianthus
> > micanthemoides. They mention it is from Cuba and the southeasten U.S.,
> > and is also called `Pearlweed'. Is this stuff commonly available in
> > other places in the U.S.?
>
> It grows wild in Florida, and is shown on the Florida University video tapes 
> of aquatic plants.  It is also known as "Babys Tears" and grows both emersed 
> and submerged.  Funny thing is that I have had the emersed form (from the 
> grocery store florist department) growing in my Paludarium for years.  I 
> noticed that the parts that strayed underwater seemed perfectly happy, but 
> never made the connection until I saw the tape.  Just assumed they were two 
> different plants with the same common name!<g>
>
> Karen

Karen,

There is another housplant by the common name Baby's Tears (Soleirolia
soleirolli) but I'm pretty sure it is not the same stuff as in the 
aquarium books - unless it grows a much thicker stem & leaves underwater.
This stuff would also do great in a Paludarium I think since it loves
to be kept moist & misted (I grow it in terrariums) but I don't know
how it would go completely wet.  I could not find any Hemianthus or
Micranthemum species in my housplant books :-(.  Please let me know
if you think this is the same or a different plant.

Thanks,
Joanne.