SafePlants

Riccardia chamedryfolia: An In-Depth Look

Riccardia chamedryfolia, commonly known as Mini Pellia or Coral Moss, is a liverwort species gaining popularity in aquascaping. This terrestrial plant has been adapted as an ornamental plant, particularly in freshwater aquariums.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is often used in small shrimp tanks.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Riccardia chamedryfolia (With.) Grolle
• Common Names: Mini Pellia, Coral Moss, Jagged Germanderwort
• Synonyms: Riccardia sinuata (Hook.)
• Family: Aneuraceae
• Kingdom: Belongs to the major group Bryophytes (Mosses and liverworts)

Distribution and Habitat

• The exact origin of Riccardia chamedryfolia is unknown.
• It is established in Asia and has been found in locations such as Sichuan, China.
• Other Riccardia species are found in various regions, including Europe (e.g., Scotland), India, and Chile.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Riccardia chamedryfolia is a small, narrow species, typically 0.5 to 2 mm wide.
• It exhibits much branching with a characteristic pale brownish-green color.
• The margins are slightly upcurved.
• It grows slowly and can be easily overgrown by algae or other mosses.
• It forms thick, compact cushions or lawn-like populations, clinging to wood or rock with its rhizoids.
• Height ranges from 1 to 3 cm, and width from 3 to 5 cm.
• Other Riccardia species have different forms, such as Riccardia palmata, a thallose liverwort.
• Riccardia marginata has delicate, bottle green to brown branching with rounded tips.

Cultivation

• Riccardia chamedryfolia is well-suited for attaching to branches and stones.
• It requires more light than other moss species.
• It thrives in soft water with a very low GH (general hardness).
• CO2 supplementation is not necessary but recommended.
• Propagation is achieved by cutting, ripping, or chewing the plant.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• It can be used in shrimp tanks.
• It is commonly used in aquascaping.

Quirky Facts

• Some Riccardia species (Metzgeriales) contain various types of sesquiterpenes. For example, R. jackii produces ent-selinane-, ent-aromadendrane- and other compounds.

Further Information

• Discover Life provides information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Riccardia Gray, 1821 and Riccardia chamedryfolia - Aneura pinnatifida.
• More information may be found at http://www.acquariofilia.biz/showthread.php?p=1061273905# post1061273905.
• NODC Taxonomic Code database (version 8.0) provides reference information for Riccardia.
• Wikimedia Commons hosts images of Riccardia chamedryfolia.