Lilaeopsis ruthiana

Lilaeopsis ruthiana is very similar to the species Lilaeopsis novae-zelandiae. Both species are endemic to New Zealand. While L. novae-zelandiae colonises brackish sites in coastal areas, L. ruthiana occurs inland on the islands. The plant forms tufts or lawns; the leaves look rush-like, taper to a point and have a round cross-section. This distinguishes L. ruthiana, e.g., from Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, which has flattened leaves.

Lilaeopsis ruthiana is suitable for aquariums. In cultivation experiments it grew well in water up to 28 °C.¹ But there seems to be very little information about the properties of L. ruthiana as an aquarium plant. The plant is probably best known among New Zealand hobbyists.

It is hard to say whether Lilaeopsis ruthiana is available in Europe; the species name is practically unknown here in the hobby and the trade. This species may be in cultivation under the designation L. novae-zelandiae. However, this name is also wrongly used for Lilaeopsis brasiliensis, which is therefore also called “New Zealand grass”.

It would certainly be interesting to test Lilaeopsis ruthiana in aquascaping as a grass-like, tuft- or lawn-forming plant and also to compare it with other Lilaeopsis species better known in the aquarium hobby.

- To be continued -