Australian hydrocotyle

Hydrocotyle cf. tripartita is a small, clover-like foreground plant that has become a staple in aquascaping, particularly in Asia, where it is also known under the names Hydrocotyle sp. 'Japan' and Hydrocotyle sp. 'Australia'. Its exact species identity remains uncertain, hence the 'cf.' (confer) designation, but the plant in cultivation is distinct from the similar Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides. The leaves are deeply indented into three to five lobes, forming a pattern reminiscent of clover. Under high light and with CO2 supplementation it grows very fast and may even become invasive, quickly covering the foreground with a dense carpet. Under lower light the growth slows and stems adopt a more upright habit. It is generally more undemanding than H. sibthorpioides and can be kept without added CO2 in a moderately lit tank, though growth will be slower and the carpet less dense. Propagation is simple: cut a runner at any point and re-plant the segment; each piece roots readily. This plant is an excellent choice for nano tanks and small-scale aquascapes, where its small leaf size and creeping habit provide a sense of scale.