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 common name 'water umbels'. Lilaeopsis are primarily found along the Pacific coast of the Americas, from southern Alaska to Tierra del Fuego and southern Patagonia, as well as the Falkland Islands and some Caribbean and Oceanic islands (mainland Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania). One species, L. mauritiana, is found on the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar and Mauritius.

Lilaeopsis
Lilaeopsis occidentalis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Subfamily: Apioideae
Tribe: Oenantheae
Genus: Lilaeopsis
Greene
Species

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The species L. minor (synonymous with L. brasiliensis, and often referred to as 'microsword' or 'Brazilian microsword') is somewhat common in the aquascaping hobby, as its grass-like appearance and creeping growth habit are valued as a groundcover plant for the foreground of aquaria. It is easily cultivated, being commercially produced and sold via tissue culture. The entire genus grows best in a rich, organic substrate (such as dirt or commercial aquasoil), as opposed to simply sand or gravel, and will prefer planting in well-aerated water with natural lighting, or medium to high artificial lighting; additionally, 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.

Species list

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There are currently 12 accepted species of Lilaeopsis.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". POWO. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  2. ^ "Lilaeopsis attenuata (Hook. & Arn.) Fernald | Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Lilaeopsis brisbanica A.R.Bean | Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Lilaeopsis carolinensis J.M.Coult. & Rose | Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  6. ^ "Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  9. ^ "Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  10. ^ "Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Lilaeopsis schaffneriana (Schltdl.) J.M.Coult. & Rose | Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  12. ^ "Lilaeopsis tenuis A.W.Hill | Plants of the World Online". Kew Gardens. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  • Affolter, J. M. 1985. A monograph of the genus Lilaeopsis (Umbelliferae). Syst. Bot. Monogr. 6:38.
  • Gitte Petersen, James Affolte, A New Species of Lilaeopsis (Apiaceae) from Mauritius, Novon, Vol. 9, No. 1 (Spring, 1999), pp. 92–94 - describing L. mauritiana