Plant Identification.

I just made a 60 mile round trip to check out the last remaining LFS in my city only to be disappointed in my quest to locate some Rams (German or Bolivian) or a couple of Agassizi. I had to buy something so I picked out two plants that looked pretty good, asked the owner for an ID and got a response that I know he had zero confidence in. I'll not name the shop nor be critical of him for not knowing a plant when there are so many other more critical things to retain! So.. any help with ID? took the pics before planting them in a tank.. ruler alongside for perspective. Closeup of the roots that make it look like a rhizome? Or a thick runner?


Roots:


Thanks in advance.

Looks like a Cryptocoryne to me. As far as specific species, I'm not 100% sure, but it might be C. balansae.

Good luck with a definitive ID on your plant. It looks neat though.

Java Fern

Sorry.. it's def not a Java.. has too much of a substrate root structure.. and I don't think it's a Balansae.. leaf it way too narrow.. I'm inclined to think it's a crypt.. Perhaps I posted this cuz I was a tad lazy today.. or too much stuff going on around me.. Or maybe.. just maybe.. a pop quiz for a few plant hobbiest! Naw.. too lazy right now.. <grin> Bill

williemcd wrote:

Sorry.. it's def not a Java.. has too much of a substrate root structure.. and I don't think it's a Balansae.. leaf it way too narrow.. I'm inclined to think it's a crypt.. Perhaps I posted this cuz I was a tad lazy today.. or too much stuff going on around me.. Or maybe.. just maybe.. a pop quiz for a few plant hobbiest! Naw.. too lazy right now.. <grin> Bill

I guess your answer is right. I've only sold the plant for 40 years and seen many different appearence of java fern. Have you seen it with each leaf having 3 ends looking like pitch fork. Williecmcd your right. NOT.

I defer to your wise judgement.. I was speaking only from my observations.. and my limited knowledge.. Oh wise one!

Dr. Who.. I'm not contesting your statement that it's a java fern.. I've only limited experience with Java's and have only seen them with a "sorta root" structure that likes to attach themselves to above ground perches. I don't think they, the roots, like being submerged!
The guy that sold it to me was the store owner with only 28 years in the business... But in my 40 years of being in business, I've encountered folks who claim 40 years experience when in fact they have ONE years experience repeated 40 times. Bill

How many plants have BLACK roots? One Java Fern. Sorry if you disagree. By the the way those came from Brad at Flordia Aquatics.

dR wHO.. where in heck did you say I disagreed? I'm new at this and am trying to learn! Part of the learning process is asking for more and more clarification! What I'm wondering about is why the snide attack? Wrong side of the bed this morning?

I just found it incredulous that a retailer of 28 years (sole owner) Id'd it as a Amazon Sword and sold me a 11 inch java for a buck and a half! Black roots?.. drifting in a tank for who know's how long.. rotted? we'll see..

java fern with bad roots... java fern can have long long roots. wish I still had my java fern and photo, it's roots where 8 inches....

I concede.. It's a freaking JF!...

But now I have to roll up my sleeves and dig it up and attach it to something!

I'm re-habbing a house for market and my hands used to be calloused and course.. Now I'm spending so much time underwater with them I'm getting babysoft skin! GRRRRRR...

Bill, the genera Cryptocoryne and Echinodorus (Amazon sword) are native to two different continents, but in the aquarium they have the same thing in common - they are both crown plants. The growth habit is the same for both plants, the new leaves emerge from the center of the plant, from the "crown." This would be an obvious identifying chracteristic of either Cryptocoryne or Echinodorus species.

Java fern (Microsorum, sometimes Microsorium) grows new leaves from the end of a thick, rootlike structure known as a rhizome. The rhizome is the growing part of the plant. The long skinny black "roots" are not roots in the strict sense of the word, in that they don't take up nutrition for the plant. They are anchors only, securing the plant to objects. Clip the rotten parts off. No harm done. If the rhizome is thick and healthy, the plant is fine. The leaves look great, in the photo.

Your plant does, indeed, look like a freaking JF!

Tie it to a rock or a piece of bogwood with black sewing thread and clip the ends short. Once the black "roots" take hold, the thread will be just about disintegrated.

I've seen JF "roots" eighteen inches long and I once had a prize catfish become ensnared in them.

Ladies and gents.. you have now seen a post to admire and one to strive to replicate..It tis be a mark that I hope to achieve. Thank you indeed D'C..

Well....I can't view it unfortunately. Grrrrrrr.

finally loaded.....Java Fern! Absa-toota-lutely!

He shoots .... He scores!


Also, you can plant it in the substrate, however, do not bury the rhizome.

williecmd I don't understand what the problem is ? I stated it was java fern and said I was wrong. I disagreed and who was right?

Dr. Who............You sold Java Fern for 40 years? I take it that you may have been associated with an LFS or an aquatic plant farm.........Where was the store or farm located?...........Just curious as I was the owner of a successful LFS from 1967 to 1976 and did a lot of breeding of assorted fish and some plants....( "The Aquarium" on Savannah Hwy in Chas, SC)

Dan

My parents owned North Olmstead Aquarium. I went to college and had a fish farm in Coral Gables Fla. raising Corys and asst. Tetras. Sold the farm because the land was worth way to much not sell. Now I have a wholesale business that I'm not here to talk about. I hope that helps. I am semi retired spending my winters in Cancun Mexico.

i was thinking it was javafern grown emersed. the leaves are wayy to nice to be grown submerged

true

Alan.. that's exactly what threw me in my identification in the first part. Every JF I've ever seen has been an immersed specimen... Ya learn sumptin new ever day! Bill