Other names (correct or not) for this plant found on the Internet: Baby Tears, Shade Mudflower.
The Planted Aquariums Creation and Maintenance book by Christel Kasselmann has this to say about Micranthemum Umbrosum:
1. Sensitive to algaecide
2. Delicate
3. Upright but sometimes creeping
4. Origin: USA
5. Height: 10 to 20 cm
6. Leaf surface: Light green
7. Light requirement: Very high
8. Temperature: 22-24C (71.6-75.2F)
9. Growth Rate: Medium to fast
10. Use: Foreground, middle
11. Aquarium size minimum: 15.9 gallons
12. Comments: Very demanding
From reading posts online, everyone seems to agree this plant requires a lot of light. It grows upright, but might also creep. In my deep 35 gallon tank, it didn't grow at all. Light was too low. I have been growing this plant successfully in my 10 gallon aquarium but it didn't do very well until a started adding brighter lights. Progressively, one bunch of the plant (picture on left) started shooting upward. Another bunch at the back of the aquarium is creeping and intertwining itself with other plants. If you read my other posts on the water conditions in this aquarium, you know that I've been growing it in hard water. Now, the water is softer and the light is very intense. At the moment, the plant is growing relatively fast in that it makes new leaves every other day. The stems are elongated at the moment. I'd venture a guess that the leaves will grow closer together in the newest brighter light conditions. There's a rich substrate in the aquarium but I noticed that out of three bunches, the one that does the best is the one that was wrapped around a piece of plant sponge. I don't know what this material is called. Many potted plants come in this. I purchased some in a fish store but can't remember what it's called.
Incidentally, this plant did fine so far in temperatures of 84F. Yes that's too high and I pay closer attention to this now.
Here's another photo. Both pictures are a few days old now. The plant is much fuller and taller at the moment. The water in the aquarium is softer, rich in iron, CO2 and other nutrients. The substrate is a mix of Laterite, potting soil, clay, fertilizer sticks all covered in an epoxy-glazed gravel. The light is very bright. I'm hoping the plant will grow thicker leaves in the bright light.
The little dark red thing on the bottom right corner of the photo is a Beta fish. He's the only fish in the aquarium. I purchased it to control snails. Some Betas eat snails, some don't. I've had both female and male Betas in the past that ate snails. I prefer using fish to control snails than chemicals.
Links of links to Micrenthemum Umbrosum (some with pictures)
http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_umbrosum.php
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/plantfinder/details.php?id=185
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MIUM
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200002/msg00359.html
http://naturalaquariums.com/plants/mumbrosum.html
http://www.tropica.dk/productcard_1.asp?id=048
http://www.thekrib.com/Plants/Plants/Micranthemum.html
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