Microsorum pteropus

Microsorum pteropus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
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, is a highly variable plant with several different geographic varieties that vary in leaf size and shape. It is found growing attached to roots and rocks in nature, and can grow both fully and partially submerged. The plant can propagate through small adventitious plants, formed on the older leaves, which attach themselves to hard substrates.

In the aquarium

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.

Microsorum pteropus or common Java fern growing in the west peninsular of Indonesia

An immersed form of Microsorum pteropus

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

References

External links

• The Aquarium Wiki article on caring for Java fern in the aquarium
• Java fern (Microsorum pteropus) in its natural habitat.