Waterweed is a proliferating aquatic plant. The stems, which can be up to three meters long, are numerous and hard to miss. The opposite is true for the roots. Many an observer wonders whether this aquatic plant even has any. We clarify.
The waterweed also wants to anchor itself in the ground
Root formation at the nodes
Thickened areas on the stem from which the leaves attach are referred to as nodes, nodi or knots. A stem has several nodes that are regularly spaced. The waterweed forms no runners or rhizomes. It drives out its roots from these nodes.
Theoretically, wherever a leaf grows, a root can grow. In practice, the plant will not root at each node, but as needed.
sense of root formation
One task of the roots is anchoring to the substrate. Because of this, waterweed will take root after planting. However, these are largely covered by the substrate and are therefore not recognizable as such for us. The amount can also be described as rather small.
Roots can also form higher up, on stems washed by water. If the waterweed is in the aquarium, it can be clearly seen in the clear water. Presumably they serve to absorb nutrients from the water.
tips
Waterweed plants in the pond that are already firmly rooted in the substrate are difficult to combat. Therefore, take into account their enormous urge to grow when planting.
Propagation without roots
The fact that each node can sprout roots makes propagation of this plant easy:
- a small piece of the plant is enough
- it doesn't have to have roots yet
- planted, it soon forms roots
- can also be placed on the water
- propelled, it seeks an opportunity for itself to root
tips
Be careful not to accidentally contribute to the unwanted spread of waterweed. After cutting the plant, you have to get the cut parts of the plant out of the water as completely as possible.