Microsorum pteropus 'Prothallium'
Microsorum pteropus (Blume) Copel. — gametophyte
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Planting & care
- PlacementForeground, Midground, Background
- GrowthEpiphyte
- LightLow
- CO2Recommended
- Height0.4–1.2" (1–3 cm)
About this plant
Persistent gametophyte (prothallium) of the Java fern Microsorum pteropus rather than a conventional fern cultivar. It was formerly circulated as Loxogramme sp. Wave Moss and looks superficially like a liverwort. The soft dark-green thallus lobes are smaller than those of the Lomariopsis gametophyte and form compact cushions with dark brown hair-like rhizoids on their undersides and margins. Growth is very slow, but the plant is undemanding and tolerates low light. CO2 and water-column fertilisation strongly improve growth. Tie or glue small portions to stone, wood or moss pads; the thalli will attach to varying degrees. Its miniature scale makes it particularly useful in nano aquariums.
Quick specs
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Light
- Low
- CO₂
- Recommended
- Temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)
- Placement
- Foreground, Midground, Background
- Growth type
- Epiphyte
- Aquarium suitability
- Suitable for aquariums Suitable for long-term aquarium use.
- Approx. height
- 0.4–1.2" (1–3 cm)
Water conditions
- Temperature
- 68–82°F (20–28°C)
- pH
- 5–8
- Carbonate hardness
- 0–14 °dKH
- CO₂ (mg/L)
- 5–30 mg/L
Growth & placement
- Growth rate
- Very slow
- Width
- 1.2–3.9" (3–10 cm)
- Propagation
- division and fragmentation
Grow it successfully
What you’ll need to grow Microsorum pteropus 'Prothallium'
Start with this plant’s documented care needs, then use an AquariumLesson calculator to size the setup for your aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Major group
- Ferns
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Genus
- Microsorum
- Botanical name
- Microsorum pteropus (Blume) Copel. — gametophyte
