Ceratopteris horned

Ceratopteris horned or Horned moss, scientific name Ceratopteris cornuta. For a long time, two completely different types of fern were supplied under the same name. Then one of them acquired its own name – Indian fern (Ceratopteris thalictroides), but confusion remained in a number of sources.

It grows up to half a meter in height. The stem is short, the length is achieved due to large leaves. The leaf blade is dissected into fragments, somewhat reminiscent of elk horns, which is reflected in the name of this species. In the submerged position, the color is soft green, in the surface it is darker. With the growth of one sprout, a dense bush is formed.

It originates from the African continent, where it grows in stagnant freshwater reservoirs of the tropical zone. It is a versatile fern, able to grow underwater, anchoring on the bottom or floating on the surface, and in moist soil along coastlines or in frequently flooded areas. The hydrochemical composition of water and soil is also of little importance. Ceratopteris horny grows well in a wide range of temperatures and pH / dGH values, is not picky about the level of light, but it is still not worth planting in the shade. Such versatility and unpretentiousness gives ample opportunities for use in aquariums and paludariums, as well as in open ponds.