January 2020 Meeting

Saturday, January 25th, 2020 at 9:03 pm

Happy New Years, everyone! The first meeting of the year had about 25 people come to Viktor’s house to hear Cavan talk about aquatic plants, focusing on the genus, Gratiola , and his adventures in gathering specimens of these plants.

There are many different species of Gratiola, and can be found all over the world. There are even species of the plant found in Maryland, but they are endangered. It can only be found in three ponds in the state!

Then, he discussed Gratiola neglecta, which won’t grow sumbersed, and was therefore not good for aquascaping. A “total dud” as Cavan put it. Gratiola ramosa is a slow growing species that is unfortunately extirpated in Maryland. New Zealand is home to Gratiola sexdentata, a beautiful plant featuring red stems and green leaves.

Cavan then went on to mention a few other plants including Clinopodium brownei, part of the mint family that is common in wet areas, but not often found underwater, and Juncus repens, an undemanding, great plant.