Subclass Rosidae ( Rosidae )
Order Haloragales ( Haloragales )
Family Haloragaceae ( Haloragaceae )
Genus Myriophyllum — Myriophyllum.
These bog plants are intended rather for well-maintained cold-water aquariums with temperatures up to 20°C. Tropical species (M. brasiliense) do not achieve the lushness of cold-water plants. Whorls of leaves are located on a long, straight stem; sometimes the leaves are opposite or alternate. The leaf blade is multiply dissected. The number of leaflets in whorls, depending on the species, ranges from two-three to eight.
Stems and leaves are green, brown, or reddish. The color intensity of the leaves depends on lighting conditions and adequate nutrition. However, individual species with truly green leaves and stems do not become reddish under any circumstances. Others, on the contrary, acquire a distinct red or brownish color under strong lighting.
All plants have leaves fork-dissected into thread-like segments and similar maintenance and breeding conditions. Different species of Myriophyllum have different water quality requirements because, depending on their origin, they are accustomed to different lime content in it. However, they need a lot of light. True, if they become overgrown with algae due to strong lighting, they can die.
Myriophyllums, like most other stem plants, look best when planted in groups. As a rule, they are planted in the background, but if they are regularly pruned, tiers can also be formed in the middle zone of the aquarium. They should also not be planted in aquariums where they are threatened by mud particles floating in the water, for example, if fish dig up the substrate. For their delicate leaves, there is nothing more dangerous than the settlement of mud on the green surface — the leaf simply suffocates. And if, on the contrary, they are allowed to rise above the water surface, it may happen that the leaves under water begin to drop. Therefore, they must be pruned on time.
Deeply dissected leaves contribute to water purification and active oxygen saturation. The plant takes root in the substrate. Myriophyllums should be propagated like all stem plants: separate and plant the top. The upper part will grow roots, and growth points will awaken in the lower part. For successful division, each part must be at least ten centimeters.
Parrot’s feather, Brazilian water milfoil, green milfoil — Myriophyllum aquaticum.
“1” Synonym: Myriophyllum brasiliense, M. proserpinacoides. (Eng. — Brazilian Milfoil). Distributed in water bodies of South America and the southern states of the USA; the center of distribution is Brazil. Height 15–30 cm. Width 5–8 cm. Among Myriophyllum species, this plant is one of the most undemanding. A graceful, light-green stem plant, widespread among aquarists, it forms dense thickets in the water column. It emerges to the surface and forms emersed leaves.
Stems are long, round, relatively thick. Leaves are bright light-green, complex, deeply dissected, usually 4–6 leaflets per whorl, sitting on short petioles. Leaf blade length up to 4 cm. Submerged leaves are very sensitive to the amount of light: at nightfall they begin to close, and early in the morning they open. Beautiful green leaves, 4–6 leaves per whorl, make it one of the most beautiful aquarium plants.
“2” The only essential condition for its successful cultivation is bright lighting and a sufficiently long daylight hours (at least 8–10 hours a day). The plant is quite demanding regarding lighting conditions. The light must be bright with an intensity of 0.5 W/l. With a lack of lighting, it stretches out strongly, and its leaves lose their rich color. The plant must be protected from algae growth. The duration of daylight needed by Myriophyllum can be determined by its behavior: when the plant has received enough light, it folds its leaves. The light should be turned off in about 30 minutes.
Other aquarium parameters (volume and depth, water composition, etc.) are of no fundamental importance. It feels great in hard water, but this is not a prerequisite for good growth. dH 2–15°, pH 5.5–8.0. Water must be changed regularly. The optimal temperature is in the range of 20–26 degrees. The plant can withstand a short-term drop in temperature to 14°C. In winter, when natural light is scarce, conditions for rest can be created for Myriophyllum by lowering the water temperature in the aquarium.
“4” The root system is poorly developed, very delicate, fibrous, and roots are thin. The root system tends to produce a large number of shoots. As a substrate — loose and crumbly substrate, it is best to use sand laid in a thin layer (2–3 cm), moderately silted. Usually, nutrients coming from water changes and fish feeding are sufficient for it. However, liquid complex fertilizers will not hurt, nor will additional carbon dioxide.
“5” It can be kept in aquariums of any size. The aquarium plant forms dense thickets in the water column. Myriophyllum is placed in the aquarium in groups of 10–15 sprigs, mainly along the rear or side walls of the aquarium, or as a bush in the middle ground. It looks best in a group, but not very compact, as shoots of neighboring plants can shade the lower leaves. The plant must be periodically thinned and its stem shortened by removing the top. Such a cutting is transferred into the substrate, deepening the whorl of leaves, at the base of which roots form quite quickly. Planting density — 5 plants per 20 cm2.
Myriophyllum can be successfully grown freely floating in the water column, but this is undesirable — it will grow slower. They should not be planted in aquariums where they are threatened by mud particles floating in the water. Turbidity particles quickly settle on the delicate, finely dissected leaves of the plant, disrupting their nutrition, which leads to leaf death. Therefore, weekly water changes in the aquarium are recommended. It must be protected from algae overgrowth. It has a fast growth rate, is an excellent refuge for fish, and well assimilates substances dissolved in water. Many species of aquarium fish use the leaves of this plant as a spawning site.
At a water temperature of 25–27°C and strong, diffused lighting, it gives the maximum increase in green mass. Upon reaching the surface, the shoot is pinched so that it begins to branch. In the winter period, the duration of natural daylight decreases, and for the plant’s comfort in the aquarium, the water temperature is lowered. However, it is not at all necessary to do so. With sufficiently bright artificial lighting, Myriophyllum grows well throughout the year.
“6” It produces a large number of root shoots. It easily propagates by stem cuttings and root shoots. Overgrown vines of the plant must be periodically shortened, removing the top. Then it is replanted into the substrate, deepening the lower leaf whorl. A root system forms very quickly at the base of the leaves.
Red Myriophyllum, tuberous milfoil — Myriophyllum tuberculatum.
“1” Southeast Asia, India, Pakistan. (Eng. — Red Myriophyllum). This is a rather moody, but at the same time very attractive plant. Height 40 cm. Fine-feathered stem plant, whorl of 4–7 pinnate leaves, up to 5 cm in diameter, pinnate leaves with hair-like fine segments, brown to red in color, depending on conditions in the aquarium. Thin, needle-like red leaves make it one of the most beautiful aquarium plants, but unfortunately, successful growth requires very strong lighting, which cannot be achieved in every aquarium.
“2” Prefers a temperature of 20–26°C. At lower temperatures, the appearance of the plant improves. The plant likes soft water, pH 6.5–7.0, strong lighting, CO2 addition. In an aquarium without CO2 addition, Myriophyllum grows, but very slowly. The water must be very clean, without the slightest turbidity. Pinnate leaves with hair-like segments tend to collect suspended particles from the water.
The color of the plant depends on the lighting. Under a white lamp, the color of the plant is yellow. Under the “Aqua Glo” phyto-lamp, Myriophyllum has a beautiful red-brown color. With intensive lighting and the use of iron-containing fertilizer, leaves turn red-brown to golden-brown. In good conditions, the tips of the stems have the color of bloodworms.
“4” Nutrient substrate and CO2 supplementation significantly accelerate growth. It is advisable to introduce complex microelements; fertilizers rich in iron improve growth. Substrate — fine-grained sand or gravel with fertilizer.
“5” A beautiful reddish-orange plant, well suited for a “Dutch” aquarium. A group in the middle part of the aquarium looks wonderful. It looks best in a group, but not very compact, as shoots of neighboring plants can shade the lower leaves. This Myriophyllum is recommended as a good substitute for the moody Cabomba furcata. Planting density — 5 plants per 20 cm2.
Myriophyllum grows quickly under good conditions. Maintenance conditions are difficult. It is difficult to achieve a beautiful appearance. This Myriophyllum is prone to algal overgrowth. They should not be planted in aquariums where they are threatened by mud particles floating in the water.
“6” Easily propagates through side shoots.
Identification: Genus Myriophyllum — Myriophyllum aquaticum, tuberculatum.
Myriophyllum hippuroides, Myriophyllum mattogrossense.
Proserpinaca palustris, Proserpinaca palustris “Cuba”. 
