Nesaea Triflora

Quick facts

Identity

Also known as

Three-flower Nesaea

Synonyms

Ammannia mauritiana; Ammannia capitellata

Environment

Freshwater

Native to

Madagascar, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, southern India, coastal East Africa

Habitat

Sunny marshes, wet riverbanks, ditches and shallow pools that cycle between emersed and submersed growth seasonally

Sourcing

Captive-bred

Conservation

Not Evaluated

Care

Care level

Moderate

Growth form

Stem

Max height

6 – 16 in (15 – 41 cm)

Spread

4 in (10 cm)

Growth rate

Moderate

Placement

Midground, Background

Water

Temperature

72 – 82 °F (22 – 28 °C)

pH

6.0 – 7.5

GH

4 – 10 dGH

dKH

2 – 5 dKH

Flow

Low-Moderate

Light

High

CO₂

Beneficial

Planting

Substrate

Nutrient-rich preferred

Feeds from

Both

Fertilizer needs

High

Colors

Green, Red, Orange, Pink

Feeding & breeding

Propagation

Cuttings

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Care guide

Overview

Marshes and riverbanks across Madagascar, Sri Lanka, southern India and Mauritius give rise to this fine-stemmed Lythraceae species, sold here as a rooted stem plant. Oblong leaves grow in opposite decussate pairs along hollow, easily-snapped stems that flush red-orange under strong light and CO2 but revert to plain green without it. Best sited in low-moderate flow as a midground or background stem with regular trimming to prevent bare, leggy growth.

Care

This is a delicate stem plant with hollow, fragile stems that snap easily in strong flow or during handling, so plant it in areas of gentle water movement. It needs strong lighting and a steady CO2 supply to hold its orange-to-red coloration and to prevent the stems from melting; without enough light or carbon it tends toward plain green and leggy growth. Stable water chemistry matters more than exact numbers, since sudden swings in parameters can trigger stem rot in this and related Lythraceae species.

Planting & trimming

Space individual stems roughly an inch apart so light can still reach the lower leaves, since crowding causes the base of the stem to go bare over time. It can be planted directly into the substrate as a stem plant and grows both emersed and submersed, though a transition period is needed when switching between the two. Trim tops regularly to keep growth compact and to prevent the stems from becoming tall and sparse.

Fertilizing

Plant in a nutrient-rich active substrate, as this species is a fairly heavy root feeder and responds well to root tabs placed near the base. A comprehensive liquid fertilizer routine with chelated iron and trace elements supports the reddish pigmentation and prevents the lower leaves from yellowing and dropping. Deficiency typically shows first as pale or bare lower stems, a sign nutrients or light are insufficient to support the whole plant.

Propagation

Propagate by cutting healthy side shoots or stem tops and replanting them directly into the substrate, where they root readily within a couple of weeks. Regular trimming of the mother plant encourages branching, producing more side shoots that can be used for further cuttings.

Problems

The most common issue is melt or stem collapse following transitions from emersed to submersed growth or after abrupt changes in water parameters. Insufficient light or CO2 causes weak, stretched growth and loss of the characteristic pink and orange tones. Bare lower stems and yellowing lower leaves usually point to shading from dense planting or a lack of iron and trace nutrients.

Sources

1. Three-flower Nesaea Aquatic Plant Care | Atlarium
2. Nesaea triflora care: light, CO2 and placement · TankBud
3. Nesaea Triflora - Aquaristic Online
4. Nesaea Triflora - Pet Zone Tropical Fish - San Diego, California

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