Mayaca fluviatilis Aubl.

Stream Bog Moss

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Stream Bog Moss is a native herbaceous perennial in the Bog-Moss family (Mayacaceae). It can be found in the southern half of Alabama. Stream Bog Moss occurs in shallow water of ponds and lakes, in seeps, in bogs, and on the banks of slow-moving streams and ponds. It is a mat forming perennial. The stems are decumbent to erect, much branched, rooting when in contact with the soil, and greenish-white in color. The leaves are spirally arranged, densely crowded on the stems, and linear to lanceolate in outline. Flower are solitary on pedicels equal to or much longer than the leaves. Each flower has 3 ovate to elliptic green sepals and 3 pale lavender to lilac petals that are white towards the base. The fruit is a globose to ellipsoid capsule. A second species is sometimes recognized-- Mayaca aubletii Schott. Mayaca aubletii appears to be the more terrestrial form of the species and differs in having shorter, more crowded leaves, pedicels much longer than the leaves, and capsules ovoid to nearly globose. Stream Bog Moss is a popular aquarium plant and is readily available from nurseries specializing in aquatic plants. It requires bright lighting and a nutrient rich substrate.—A. Diamond.

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Native OBL (NWPL)

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