Vallisneria - Eel Grass, Giant Tape Grass, Spiral Tape Grass, Tape Grass

(Vallisne'ria)

DESCRIPTION: These hardy and tender, aquatic perennials, commonly known as Tape or eel grass, grow underneath the water. V. americana, Giant Tape Grass, has slender, ribbon-like leaves that grow over 3 feet long. The female flower is produced on a twisted stem at the water's surface. This variety can grow in water up to 8 feet deep. It is a vigorous grower and not suitable for the average water garden. V. spiralis, Spiral Tape Grass, is a tropical kind native to southern Europe and North Africa. It is suitable for growing in the water garden. It produces rosettes of ribbon-like leaves, 8 to 32 inches long. They have a jagged edge at their tips. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The male flowers are produced on short stalks near the bottom of the pond; the stamens break off of the male flowers and float to the surface of the water where the small, white female flowers float. When the stamens come into contact with the pistils of the female flowers, fertilization takes place. After pollination, the stalks of the female flowers contract in a spiral so the seeds can ripen below the surface.

POTTING: Tape Grasses root shallowly in the soil. They absorb their nutrients from the soil and the water. Fill a shallow container with soil and pat a thin layer around the roots. Add a layer of stones, pea gravel or coarse sand and carefully lower them into the water. It would beneficial first fertilize them before lowering into the water. Most submerged aquatic plants can survive the winter outdoors as long as they are below the ice levels of the water so they don't freeze. The tropical varieties can be wintered indoors to ensure a supply for the following year. Grow them in an aquarium or tub filled with a few inches of loamy soil, which is then covered with a 2-inch layer of sand. Fill the containers with water. They need a minimum temperature of 45º F.

PROPAGATION: The plant may be divided in the spring or seeds may be sprinkled in the mud at the bottom of a tank of water.

VARIETIES: V. americana; V. spiralis.

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