Aegagropila linnaei. Friedrich T. KĆ¼tzing (1843). Common Name: Marimo (ęƬč»?, literally āball seaweedā) in Japanese, Cladophora ball, Lake ball, Mossimo or Moss Balls in English.
Marimo is a species of filamentous green algae (Chlorophyta) found mostly in a number of lakes in the northern hemisphere. A marimo is a rare growth form of the species where the algae grow into large green balls with a velvety appearance. Colonies of such balls are only known to form in Iceland, Scotland, Japan, Estonia and, in 2014, Australia.
Marimo was originally classified as Aegagrophila linnae and renamed as Cladophora. However, further research demonstrated that the species of Algae that makes up Marimo has chitin on its cell wall which makes it a different species, therefore, was switched back to its original classification of Aegagropila. This is why the reader will see marimo referred to under both names. Itās distribution is in Lake Akan, HokkaidÅ , Japan and in Lake MĆ½vatn in Iceland. In Lake MĆ½vatn, it has greatly diminished and is in danger of becoming extinct. In Japan the collection of Marimo balls have been illegal since 1920ās.
Source from above: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marimo
Care sheet: Water Temperature: 72 ā 78 Fahrenheit Aquarium pH: Wide range, can be slightly acidic or on the alkaline side. Aquarium Lighting: Wide range, low to high light
The current appearance of Marimo balls is due to collecting the free floating filaments of algae and rolling them into balls. In nature there is no inner kernel inside the Marimo ball center, rather it takes on a spherical shape by being rolled around by wave action. Chloroplasts on the underside of the ball can switch on as the algae is turned on when waves turn the balls over and the side laying against a substrate is turned over. Marimo has the ability to grow epiphitically on wood and rocks, however. This ability to adapt to other growth patterns makes its ability to be used to grow a velvety green carpet of turf, coat wood, or even create fanciful topiaries. This is one of my favorite plants. One thing of note, provide a strong current to keep the Marimo clear of debris.
