Safe to use dead weed roots as decoration?

We have a big meadow with lots of goldenrod, lythrum and other sturdy field weeds. Sometimes I save the roots because they're so intricate and woody, but I'm not sure what specific plant they're from. They look a lot like the wood being sold as bonsai for aquariums. If I sterilize the root by boiling, would they be safe to use to attach moss in the aquarium? I don't want them to leach anything toxic into the tank.

 

I think it would depend on the plant by species. But I don't see why it wouldn't work in concept.

 

If you can ID it as a non-toxic species, it should be fine. Could you add pics?

 

Any time these sorts of questions get asked, my first thought is "What's at risk?"

If you've got a colony of feeder guppies that you usual just feed to your Oscars and you don't mind spending the $6 to buy another three bagfulls if they all die, absolutely try it out! If you're hoping to spawn a new pair of $300 discus, I'd opt for more reliable products. It might be perfectly safe, or it might result in the worst case scenario. Whether or not it's worth it is based largely on what's at stake.

 

If you can ID it as a non-toxic species, it should be fine. Could you add pics?

Everything is frozen right now. I'll wait till a thaw to see if I can find some. I just left them out in the garden. I suspect they're lythrum.

 

Everything is frozen right now. I'll wait till a thaw to see if I can find some. I just left them out in the garden. I suspect they're lythrum.

Which Lythrum species? Is it salicaria, alatum, virgatum, hyssopifolia, californicum, or something else?

 

Which Lythrum species? Is it salicaria, alatum, virgatum, hyssopifolia, californicum, or something else?

Salicaria