Red dots under java fern leaves

[Pvtdgrif]

Have a java fern that is thriving in my tank. It seems to love the conditions and is taking over one end of my tank. Today I decided to look at trimming it back before my tank is overrun with the stuff. When I turned over the driftwood it is firmly anchored to just less than half it's leaves have small red furry lumps growing on their undersides. Here is a picture of the one with the most lumps....



Is this normal?

Thanks,
Matt.

 

[LyndaB]

Those are spores and yes, they are normal. That's what baby java ferns grow from.

 

[Pvtdgrif]

I had sort of guessed that, but I wasn't expecting 30 or so spores on one leaf!!

 

[LyndaB]

What can I say, you've got a fertile myrtle......

Actually, next time you take a walk in the woods, or through the plant department at your local grocery, look at the underside of a fern leaf. They're loaded with spores.

 

[Pvtdgrif]

Thanks for the quick response. It has put my mind at rest, if it wasn't spores the whole plant would have been toast...