Ceratophyllum demersum - Hornwort
| Family: | Ceratophyllaceae |
| Habit: | Perennial |
| Height: | 1 |
| Synonyms: | |
| Range: | Most of Europe, including Britain, but absent from the Arctic. |
Hornwort will flower in January to March. The flowers from this plant are monoecious (both sexes are found on the plant but each flower is either male or female) and they are pollinated by Water
Soil Information
Hornwort will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Hornwort prefers soils
Ideal Planting Locations
Hornwort can grow in semi or areas with no shade.Ponds and ditches[17].
Planting places suited to this plant described below.
- Is a pond plant
- A bog garden plant
Cultivation Details
Prefers a sandy medium rich in decaying organic matter in full sun, but it tolerates shade better than most submerged aquatic plants[188]. A good pond oxygenator, it usually grows submerged in the water but is sometimes found floating on the surface[1, 188]. This species belongs to one of only two known dicot genera where pollination taks place under water. The anthers of male flowers break off the plant and float to the surface where they release their pollen grains. These then sink under the water to fertilize the female flowers[274]. This species, however, more commonly reproduces asexually[274]. In some parts of the world bilharzia-carrying snails and malaria-carrying mosquito larvae shelter in the leaves of plants of this genus. The plants can also grow so vigorously as to choke waterways, though they also provide good shelter for young fish[274]. The plant is very brittle[1].Edible Uses*
* See disclaimerEdible Rating: 1/5
Leaves[105, 177]. No further details are given.
- Leaves -
Medicinal Uses*
* See disclaimerMedicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant is a cooling antiperiodic[240]. It is useful in the treatment of biliousness and scorpion stings[240].
- Antiperiodic - Counteracts recurring illnesses such as malaria.
- Stings - Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
Propagation
Seed - we have no details on this species but would suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse with the pot immersed in water. It is likely that the seed will quickly lose viability if allowed to dry out so if it is stored it should be kept cool in a container of water and then be sown in late winter. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a tray of water in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings in the growing season root easily[188]. Plants propagate themselves naturally when scaly young shoots or winter buds separate from the main plant[188].Known Hazards
None knownOther Uses
None knownCultivars
no recorded cultivarsReferences
Flora of the British Isles.Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992
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