Plant id help needed.

[HiJaC]

Hi,

I've got a funny feeling this might be non-aquatic.

Can anyone help with an id and growing advice?

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj306/hijac101/DSCF2027.jpg

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj306/hijac101/DSCF2032.jpg


Thanks,

John

 

[Purrbox]

It looks an awful lot like Aqua Fern. If so I'd take it back and ask for a refund. If you can't take it back, then you may want to try potting it and growing it on your window sill.

 

[HiJaC]

It looks an awful lot like Aqua Fern. If so I'd take it back and ask for a refund. If you can't take it back, then you may want to try potting it and growing it on your window sill.

it does doesnt it.

i'm actually happy to keep it as ive got two wabi kusi (or however you spell it) in my bathroom which need new plants.

Unless anyone else can vouch for it as a true aquatic plant it's not going near my main tank.

Ironically enough when i bought it in my LFS i was busy telling them two other plants in their box were not aquatic.

Thanks again joy,

John

edit - hmm

Looking at the picture of the aqua or boreno fern (Trichomanes javanicum) on plant geek it does look a bit different from what i have. Especially the leave shape and placement.

http://www.plantgeek.net/images/plantpics/tjavanicum2.jpg

Checking up on my online retailer for aquatic plants i see they have this listed as Green Umbrella Fern.

http://www.aquaticplants.eu.com/acatalog/4201.jpg

That looks much more like it.

When i googled that it came up as Selaginella wildenowii. Another non aquatic plant. But one that dies off very very slowly in your tank.

Oh well.

 

[HiJaC]

A further nail in the coffin by a reply from greenline aquatics (my online plant retailer).

Hello John

Yes I know the problem with this type of plant. I used to class it as decorative only but on several occasions over the years in dim light conditions I have found it to grow well underwater as long as it is quite soft and not too warm.
In bright light like alot of the semi aquatics it gets covered in brown algae which is the main reason for its demise.
In malaysia they have loads of the stuff growing in running water systems under water hyacinths for shade. I think there is a comment in the description about not a trues aquatic but can actually grow underwater but I will check.
Borneo fern never lasts underwater though . I only keep the emersed decorative section going because there is quite a market for swamp/amphibian tanks these days
Baby tears bacopa can grow well out of water to flower but as you know grows even faster submersed so its a difficult area with some species

All the best

Andy

 

[Zezmo]

It is a splash zone plant that grows on the edges of rivers and streams. It likes to be wet but not submerged. It will grow some under water as it burns its energy reserves in a desperate attempt to hit the surface.