The leaves are produced in swirls of six to twelve, each leaf is 8-40mm long, simple, or forked into two to eight thread-like segments edged with spiny teeth they are stiff and brittle. They have numerous side shoots making a single specimen appear as a large, bushy mass. It is a submerged plant, growing in still or very slow-moving water in ponds and streams. The coontail has been shown to release certain chemicals that naturally prevent some forms of Koi pond algae growth, making it a prime addition to the Koi garden pond.
In the fall the compact tips break off the hornwort and lie dormant for the winter. It is tolerant of a broad range of conditions. Hornwort is one of the top oxygenating plants. This texture makes it less prone to snail predation. Depending on the water’s hardness, Hornwort or coontail may form very soft, delicate leaves, or rather stiff, bristled leaves. It is unrooted so it doesn’t require planting, and excessive growth is easy to eradicate. It makes an excellent breeding area for fish, and goldfish love to eat it. It earned its name from the narrow leaves along the stem that resemble the hairs on a raccoon’s tail. It is a rootless plant that will lie on the bottom of your outdoor Koi pond in 1-3 feet of water. It looks similar to Tanwort but has a compact flower that does not rise to the surface.
Hornwort or Coontail is the common name for Ceratophyllum demersum.
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