Frog inflorescence: a description of the plant and care

Frog waterfowl (common) is a floating plant that decorates many natural water bodies. Probably everyone had to see him, but very few people know his name. This plant can please not only those who went to the nature, but also all who have their own pond or just an aquarium.

Description of the plant

Many people had to see a froggy watercolor on the nature. The description of this plant will remind many how it looks. It is small in size, floating on the surface of water bodies. The plant belongs to the family Vodkrasovye, has a lot of branching roots. To maintain life, it does not need to take root, since it receives nutritional components from the aquatic environment. But in rare cases, for example, when the reservoir dries up, the watercolor takes root into the soil. The stem of the plant is very short, almost invisible. The leaves are small - only 3-6 cm in diameter, round, their shape resembles small copies of water lilies. They are assembled in a socket. Each leaf at the base has a notch.

To leave the plant on the surface of the water, its leaves and roots are "strewn" with airy cavities.

Frog inflorescence begins to bloom in the last weeks of June and pleases the eye until the end of the summer season. The flower looks simple, but beautiful. It consists of three white petals, which are decorated with a yellow core. Their size is on average 3 cm, but some can reach 4 cm. The flower itself extends 3-5 cm above the water level.

Life cycle

The plant can be pollinated by insects, but basically the watercolor reproduces by division (vegetative mode). The mother's bush grows lateral shoots (antennae), on which small rosettes appear. In the summer, near the shore, you can see whole thickets of ordinary water-grass. Young shoots gradually take root and detach from the mother's bush.

With the approach of autumn, froggy watercolor (photo of the plant can be seen on this page) forms winter buds, in which are the scaly leaves. They even fall to the bottom before the cold and stay there until the spring. The watercolor itself dies off for the winter, dropping the leaves. As soon as the spring heat comes, the kidneys rise to the surface of the reservoir and open, releasing the young leaves. The life cycle is repeated again.

How a plant "moves" to other water bodies

It should be noted that the seed multiplies the plant very rarely, so it can not be transferred to other reservoirs due to the wind. But, nevertheless, the watercolor has its own "transport" - these are animals and birds. To keep the "sleeping" plant until the spring, the winter bud gives off sticky mucus. Such glue allows you to attach to the fur of aquatic mammals and to waterfowl that travel from one pond to another.

Where the plant meets

Frog inflorescence is common in many areas. It grows in Western and Eastern Europe. He also pleases the inhabitants of Asia and Siberia. The plant prefers the surface of quiet creeks, lakes, ponds and slowly flowing rivers.

Benefit and use of water-colors

On those reservoirs where the water-grass grows, the life of underwater inhabitants is more comfortable. So, in the thickets of plants, small inhabitants can hide and take shelter. Also, the water itself is cleared of contamination faster, and in hot weather in the pond is not so hot, because the green "cap" does not allow you to warm up quickly.

In addition, many bred watercolor to make their private pond unusual. Since the plant is unpretentious, many have adapted to plant it in an aquarium.

It can be noted that the watercolor does not grow very fast, therefore it is suitable for keeping even in miniature ponds.

Tips for maintenance and care

Those who have already kept this plant in their pond for a while, leave useful comments. Frog inflorescence can be planted in a light or semi-shadowed place. For this, in the summer, a detached from the mother process with roots is lowered into the water. If the watercolor is planted in an aquarium, it needs top lighting at least 12 hours a day. The temperature can be maintained from 20 to 28 degrees. A plant in a pond, on the street, can tolerate winter if the kidney is lowered deeper than the level of freezing. But many recommend taking out a few kidneys and putting it in a jar of water (put silt on the bottom), put it in a cool place. With the onset of spring warm days, the contents of the can should be poured into the pond.

Frog inflorescence: interesting facts related to the name

In Dal's dictionary, this plant is referred to as the "waterworm", although this name is practically never used. Today, the most common variant is "Frog Froggy". This "name" he received thanks to the frogs, who settle near this waterfowl and like to emerge among his leaves. It can be noted that in Belarus "the jabnik is extremely important" is also known as the "svyabljachka". Most likely, it was actively used in past years, when a person had skin diseases, such as itching, rashes, etc.