Callitriche palustris
Water star
Common names: Swamp water star
Photo: Christian Fischer · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
The water star (Callitriche palustris) is a native submerged plant that forms small, star‑shaped leaf rosettes at the water surface in ponds and shallow water zones. It is one of the most reliable oxygenators in garden ponds, helping to keep the water noticeably clearer. Tiny, inconspicuous flowers appear between May and August, providing food for microscopic organisms. The plant remains low and grows densely, making it suitable for small ponds and ornamental water features.
Care instructions
Plant the water star in shallow water zones up to about 30 cm deep, preferably directly in planting baskets with loamy substrate and no fertilizer. A sunny to partially shaded location promotes dense growth and high oxygen output. Trim excess shoots in spring and summer before they overrun the pond, and regularly remove dead plant material from the water. The water star is hardy; it retreats in autumn and re‑emerges in early spring, around week 12–15 of the year.
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
moist, humus-rich, nutrient-rich, loamy
Feeding
Light feeder
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