Microsorum pteropus

Microsorum pteropus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida/Pteridopsida (disputed)
Order:	Polypodiales
(unranked):	Eupolypods I
Family:	Polypodiaceae
Genus:	Microsorum
Species:	M. pteropus
Binomial name
Microsorum pteropus Blume, 1933

Microsorum pteropus, commonly known as Java fern after the Indonesian island of Java, can be found in Malaysia, Thailand and some regions of China. It is a highly variable plant with several different geographic varieties that vary in leaf size and shape. Found in its natural habitat growing attached to roots and rocks, it can grow in both fully and partially submerged environs. The plant can propagate through small adventitious plants formed on older leaves, which attach themselves to hard substrates.

In the aquarium

Java fern (Microsorum pteropus) in the west peninsular of Malaysia

Java fern is one of the most popular plants in the aquarium hobby, due to its aesthetic appeal and ease of care. Several cultivars of Java fern exist, including the "narrow leaf", "needle leaf", "Windelov", "trident", and "lance leaf" variants. Cultivation in the aquarium is usually performed by tying the rhizome to rock or driftwood, instead of planting it directly into the substrate.

It can be cultivated in tap water, dim or bright light, with or without gravel. It is more snail resistant and grows better with higher fish loads.^[1]

References

External links

• The Aquarium Wiki article on caring for Java fern in the aquarium