Chara (Stonewort)

Chara sp.

Also known as Stonewort, Muskgrass

Plantae›Charophyta›Charophyceae›Characeae

📍 Worldwide in clear, hard freshwater lakes

Not a true alga but a charophyte — an evolutionary stepping stone between algae and land plants. Whorled branches on brittle stems; produces a distinctive musky smell when crushed. Tolerates very hard, alkaline water that many plants cannot. Often kept deliberately in biotope setups for its unique look.

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Quick Facts

note: calcifies in hard water giving a gritty texture; emits sulfurous smell
role: occasional nuisance / biotope species
lightLevel: medium
temperature: 50–68°F (10–20°C)

Water it likes

ph: 7.0–8.0
hardness: 10–25 dGH
temperature: 59–72°F (15–22°C)

Legality

No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.

Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.