Vallisneria (named in honor of Antonio Vallisneri[3][4]) is a genus of freshwater aquatic plant, commonly called eelgrass, tape grass or vallis.

The genus is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America.

This plant should not be confused with Zostera species, marine seagrasses that are usually also given the common name "eelgrass".

Similarly, some Vallisneria gigantea are sold as Vallisneria spiralis and these giant varieties are only suitable for very large tanks, having leaves that frequently exceed 1 m in length, but are quite hardy and will do well in tanks with big fish that might uproot more delicate aquarium plants.

They are not picky about substrate, and will accept plain gravel provided an iron-rich fertiliser is added to the water periodically.