Java fern
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Java fern ( Microsorum pteropus ) |
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The Java fern ( Microsorum pteropus ), also known as black salsify fern , is an amphibious polymorphic fern that belongs to the polypodiaceae family . It is often used in the aquarium hobby because it thrives well in aquariums .
Appearance
This fern develops with a creeping, densely scaled rhizome . The very hard leaves are up to 21 centimeters long and have various lanceolate shapes. The leaf margin is irregularly wavy. In young leaves, the tip of the leaf is occasionally transparent, but changes color within a few weeks.
The spore formation takes place only over water. The spores form on the underside of the leaves. The clusters of spores ( Sori ) appear irregular, they are almost round and about 2 millimeters in size. Occasionally they have grown together.
variants
In addition to the species, two cultivars are available in stores. The 'Windelov' variety is slightly smaller-leaved with a leaf length of up to 15 centimeters. The leaf tips are branched. The 'Tropica' variety is slightly larger with a leaf width of up to 15 and a leaf length of up to 30 centimeters. The leaves are deeply pinnate.
Due to the wide distribution area, there are many variants of the Java fern, which are very popular mainly in Asia. Many of these variants can often only be obtained from enthusiasts or specialist dealers. Some of them are very popular for the design of natural aquariums.
For example, there are several "narrow leaf" variants with narrower leaves and several "needle leaf" variants with even narrower leaves (5-7 mm wide), each of which has different leaf lengths. There is also a variant with wavy, twisted leaves ("undulata"), the Java fern variant "red", in which the young leaves are red in color, and the variant "phillipine", whose leaves have a structured, "hammered" Surface and leaves narrower than the original shape. There is also a broad-leaved variation (latifolius), the leaves of which reach a height of up to 40 cm and are significantly wider than the original form.
Among lovers and collectors of the variants of the Java fern and in the trade, designations such as "narrow leaf", "needle leaf" etc. have become established, which makes it difficult to differentiate between different variants, especially within the individual growth forms.
Well-known variants or cultivated forms of Java fern are:
- Microsorum pteropus "latifolius"
Very broad-leaved habit. The leaves of this variant can reach a length of up to 40 cm.
- Microsorum pteropus "narrow leaf" or Microsorum pteropus "angustifolia"
The leaves of this variant are narrower than in the original form and are 10–20 cm long. A leaf width of approx. 1.5 cm is achieved in aquarium culture.
- Microsorum pteropus "needle leaf"
Depending on the variant, the leaves are 10–20 cm or up to 40 cm long. The plants are an important part of the construction of a plant or natural aquarium. It is a very popular aquarium plant and since it is hardly or not at all commercially grown, the plant is a real rarity. Often it is only available through lovers and not through trade. However, due to the very slow growth of the plant, commercial cultivation is hardly profitable. There should be at least two "needle leaf" variants. Both variants have extremely narrow leaves 5–7 mm wide.
- Microsorum pteropus "phillipine"
The leaves are 10–30 cm long. Due to the very structured, "hammered" surface and the narrow leaves, this variant stands out from the original shape. The variant "philippine" was first introduced to Europe by Panay through Carl Christensen . In nature, the plant is often found in or on brackish water.
- Microsorum pteropus "red"
Microsorum pteropus "red" is a very large, broad-leaved form of the Java fern. In this variant, the young leaves are brown-red in color, which turns green in the older leaves. The plant becomes about 10-30 cm high.
- Microsorum pteropus "short narrow leaf"
The species has slightly curled, narrow leaves and should grow up to a maximum of 10 cm high under very good aquarium conditions.
- Microsorum pteropus "trident / fingers"
The leaf width is similar to the "needle leaf" variant. However, the leaves spread finger-shaped several times.
- Microsorum pteropus "Tropica"
The Tropica company owns plant variety protection for this variant. This means that the plant can only be grown commercially under license. The breeding of this variant is apparently no longer continued by the Tropica company itself. The "Tropica" variant of Java fern reaches a height of 15 to 50 cm. This variety grows quickly and is only recommended for large aquariums due to its size. The variety "Tropica" can be distinguished from the original form by the typical bulges of the leaves.
- Microsorum pteropus "undulata"
The leaves of the "undulata" variant, which is believed to have come from Thailand, are up to 10–35 cm long and 5 cm wide. The Java fern "undulata" has a relatively large growth habit and can be described as broad-leaved and bushy. The light green leaves are very wavy and twisted. In this variant, sporangia are said to have not been observed in aquarium culture either in emersed or submerged cultures. This variant produces a particularly large number of young plants on the leaves.
- Microsorum pteropus "Windelov"
Like the "Tropica" variant, this variant is subject to the plant variety protection of the Tropica company. The "Windelov" variant has antler-like leaf ends. The plant reaches a leaf length of 10 to 20 cm.
distribution and habitat
The species is widespread throughout tropical Asia . It grows in stony rivers and streams in which it is temporarily flooded. They can also be found on the roots of plants standing in water.
Aquaristics
As a marsh plant, the Java fern is suitable for both aquariums and paludariums . It is mostly grown on stones or roots. Plants planted in the gravel wither, their rhizomes grow only poorly there. In paludariums, however, it can be kept in a loose substrate. The plant thrives best in medium to hard water. In soft water it can be dependent on fertilization. The temperature spectrum ranges from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius.
literature
- Christel Kassel man : make planted aquarium . Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart 2001, ISBN 3-440-08518-X .
- Christel Kasselmann: aquarium plants . Ulmer Verlag, Stuttgart, 2nd edition 1999, p. 359 f; 3rd edition 2010, ISBN 978-3-8001-5855-3 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Christel Kasselmann: Aquarium Plants , Ulmer Stuttgart, 3rd edition 2010 p. 432, ISBN 978-3-8001-5855-3