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Shinnersia rivularis
(Mexican Trichocoronis)

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Synonym: Trichocoronis rivularis

Motherland: (as far as we know) South of Mexico

Although these representatives of the family of complex flowers have become known as aquatic plants only in recent years: they are well established in domestic ponds. The water in their native places is rather stiff (about 20 ° dH), and its pH value mainly goes far into the alkaline region (about 8.0). But even in softer water these stem plants develop remarkably and grow very fast. The Mexican trichocoronis easily propagates by cuttings. As usual, they should not be planted too close to each other. The upper leaves resemble oak leaves in the shape of their carved edges. The lower on the stem they settle, the less undulating their edges: the leaves become shallow and oblong. The closer they are to the light source, the more intensively they grow. Shinnersia rivularis tends to rise above the water level, especially if it is low. To anyone who can afford to keep an aquarium without a cover slip , I advise giving the plant the opportunity to develop freely. But if the aquarium has a cover glass all the same, then excessively long shoots must be shortened at regular intervals. Surface shoots carry stiff rosettes of leaves. If the plant has risen above the surface of the water, nothing can prevent its flowering. The small white hemispheres, somewhat resembling our dandelions, on closer inspection, contain bifurcate peduncles, whose inflorescences-baskets are located close to each other. Mexican trichokoronis is a very lowly plant.