In Latin, the wing-shaped fern is called "ceratopteris floating", and in everyday life - water cabbage. Despite this nickname, this type of fern is forbidden to eat.
The plant is quite suitable for landscaping the aquarium. However, it is necessary to properly care for the wing-shaped fern.
Distribution area
The wing-shaped fern (pictured below) can be found in most parts of South and in some countries of Central America. There are private small populations both in southern India and on Indochina Peninsula.
This plant is preferred sluggish flowing rivers or motionless marshy swamps. The main thing is that the water is full of organic matter. The location of the species of ceratopteris depends on this.
Classification
The pterygoid fern is considered a swamp plant. In accordance with the biological classification, it is called Ceratopteris pteridoides. In aquariums, he is often confused with Ceratopteris cornuta, another species.
This is part of a large family of horny (Ceratopteridaceae). Botanists have long and carefully studied the pterygoid fern, its properties and characteristics.
Main features
The pterygoid fern is a fairly large plant, accustomed to a tropical setting. This refers to heat and organic water (usually opaque and cloudy). The bush can not only grow firmly into the ground, but also float on the surface of the water.
Has a fibrous, beard-like root system. She is thin and gray. If the fern is floating, then you can see its root hanging in the water.
Representatives of this species can boast large dimensions if they grew up in wildlife:
- thick stem - up to 23-30 cm;
- leaf stems - up to 18 cm;
- leaf thickness - not more than 2 mm;
- leaf plates - up to 18 cm in length and 24 cm in width.
The stems of the bush are similar in structure to a sponge. Leaf plates are dissected in shape and have a light green color. To the touch they are juicy, sinewy, but fragile. It is not for nothing that this plant is called water cabbage: it looks very similar to cabbage leaves.
Fern has both sterile and fertile (capable of creating new shoots) leaves. It does not depend on whether the bush is floating or not. Sporangia facing down can be found at the edges of fertile leaves. Under the microscope, they look like small small bags, each with 32 spores. Of the latter, new shoots of pterygoid fern appear.
However, this breeding method is effective only in the natural habitat. Not a single similar case was recorded in an artificial reservoir.
On the surface of the water, all the leaves are folded into one small lump that looks like a head of ordinary cabbage. This is another reason why the pterygoid fern was called water cabbage.
Conditions of detention
For a pterygoid fern in an aquarium, certain conditions are necessary.
Capacity
Water cabbage has vast dimensions, so the capacity should correspond to them. She needs to hold at least 50 liters of water.
It is worth noting that at home, the development and volume of the bush will always be limited by the walls of the aquarium.
Appearance
Water kale makes a significant contribution to the natural design of the aquarium. Especially if it was planted in the ground near the back wall or from the side.
In most cases, it simply floats on the surface of the water and creates shadows at the bottom of the aquarium. Some decorative fish like such dark areas, and dense thickets of water cabbage often become a shelter for fry.
Water indicators
In the tank, the liquid should be almost without movement. This can be achieved by regulating equipment in an artificial pond. The bottom should be covered with a thin layer of silt. As already mentioned, organic matter is a source of nutrition for plants.
A tropical reservoir in which the bush will grow must meet the following criteria:
- neutral acid-base medium;
- temperature in the range of 22-28 degrees;
- water hardness not higher than 15 degrees.
The opinion of professionals
When breeding fern, it is recommended to follow the above rules. Otherwise, he will cease to grow and die over time.
The amount of light is not the most important condition for maintenance, but daylight hours should last at least six hours. The best choice would be a fluorescent lamp (cold) so that the leaves of the fern do not dry out and do not burn.
Most aquarists who had a wing-shaped fern noticed that it grows better with free swimming, and not with soil planting. In this case, it is likely that the leaves will gradually cover the entire surface of the aquarium.
Do not completely cover the home pond with a lid. So, water will not condense and accumulate on leaves that peep out from under the water. Condensation can harm the plant.
It will also be adversely affected by regular transplants. If you dig up a wing-shaped fern with a root from the aquarium soil and leave it to drift freely, then no one will guarantee that it will take root after the next planting without problems.
Experts believe that this is a plant with a complex system. It is perfect for an aquarium with a size of 50-100 liters, where it will become a good decorative decoration.