Datasheet

General Description

Penthorum sedoides, commonly known as Ditch stonecrop, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to the eastern region of North America, found from Canada to the southern United States. In its terrestrial form, it grows upright to a height of approximately 30 to 60 cm in wet habitats such as shores, ditches, and occasionally submerged in shallow water. The plant features alternate elliptical-lanceolate to inverted-lanceolate leaves with a serrated margin and small cream-colored, greenish to reddish flowers that bloom in clustered spikes at the stem's tip. This plant is hardy in outdoor settings, exhibiting a pink to red autumn coloration and wintering with creeping rhizomes underground while the upright stems die off, emphasizing its adaptability.

Aquarium Suitability

Aquarists in the United States recently discovered that Penthorum sedoides can thrive as a submersed aquarium plant, although it remains relatively unknown in European aquatics. Occasionally available as a marsh plant for garden pond edges and cultivated in botanical gardens, this plant offers a unique addition to aquariums. With small, compact submersed shoots and bright green underwater leaves resembling its emersed counterparts, this plant is an intriguing choice for aquascaping but may be challenging to find commercially.

Demands and Hardiness

Notable for its ease of care, Penthorum sedoides is considered an easy plant to maintain. With slow growth and the ability to propagate through seeds, cuttings, or splitting, it presents a low-demand option for aquarists. This plant can withstand colder temperatures and requires medium to high lighting along with standard water parameters, including carbon dioxide levels of 20-40mg/l, pH levels between 5-7, and temperatures ranging from 4-28°C. Detailed water conditions can be referenced in the provided table.

Aquascaping & Usage

Ideal for background or midground placement in aquariums, Penthorum sedoides contributes a unique texture and coloration to aquascapes. Its distinct foliage and growth pattern can add visual interest to aquatic environments, offering aquarists a versatile plant for design compositions.

Propagation

Penthorum sedoides can be propagated through various methods, including seeds, cuttings, or splitting, making it accessible for aquarists looking to expand their plant population. By utilizing these propagation techniques, aquarists can maintain and propagate this plant within their aquarium setups.

Habitat and Distribution

In its natural habitat, Penthorum sedoides is commonly found in the eastern United States and Canada, thriving in moist environments such as wetlands, stream banks, and shallow waters. Its adaptability to both terrestrial and submerged conditions showcases its ecological resilience and versatility in various habitats. Additionally, the plant's evolution within the Penthoraceae family, distinct from previously grouped families due to recent phylogenetic analyses, highlights its botanical significance and evolutionary relationships within the plant kingdom.