| Lilaeopsis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lilaeopsis occidentalis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Subfamily: | Apioideae |
| Tribe: | Oenantheae |
| Genus: | Lilaeopsis Greene |
| Species | |
See text | |
Lilaeopsis (the grassworts or microswords) is a genus of aquatic and riparian flowering plants in the umbel family, Apiaceae (carrots, celery, fennel, parsley, etc), which earns them the collective common name "water umbels".
Lilaeopsis are, uniquely, found along the Pacific west coast of the Americas, from temperate Southeast Alaska in the north, south all the way to Tierra del Fuego and southern Patagonia, as well as in the South Atlantic Falkland Islands off of South America, some Caribbean and Oceanic islands, mainland Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. At least one known species, L. mauritiana, is found on Madagascar and Mauritius, in the western Indian Ocean.
The species L. minor (synonymous with L. brasiliensis) is fairly commonly sold and utilized within the aquascaping hobby, where it is referred to as "Microsword" or "Brazilian microword", its grass-like appearance and creeping growth habit making the foliage appear as small "swords" or lances. It is generally easily cultivated, thus making it commercially viable, and is typically sold in sterile tubes via tissue culture; this methods enables the home aquarist to purchase clean plants, free of undesirable pests (such as snails or worms). Its habit of sending out runners (stolons) makes it a good choice as a foreground plant or groundcover species for filling empty spaces in a freshwater aquarium. However, it is not generally viewed as a "beginner" plant, as it may require slightly more nuanced conditions, or more "seasoned" aquarium parameters, than other aquatic plants, such as epiphytes like Anubias or Bucephalandra (which grow simply tied to driftwood).
Most Lilaeopsis species thrive best in a rich, organic substrate, such as potting soil "capped" (topped) with a finer gravel/sand mixture, or commercial aqua soils which are formulated to be nutritionally complete. As opposed to simply growing in inert sand or gravel, which is often a challenge, a richer substrate with adequate lighting and well-aerated water is what Lilaeopsis prefers. dditionally, like many aquarium plants, carbon dioxide (CO2) supplementation will improve their overall health and vigor, though may not be necessary with a nutritious, organic substrate.
