Variety of Java fern
Black Forest java fern
Leptochilus pteropus 'Black Forest'
One of 15 varieties of Leptochilus pteropus · See all varieties →
Also known as Microsorum pteropus 'Black Forest', Microsorum 'Black Forest', Java fern Black Forest, Microsorum pteropus 'Hardy Leaf'
FreshwaterBrackishRhizomeRhizome divisionPlantlets
Varieties · Leptochilus pteropus
See all 15 →
Care at a glance
- Light
- Low light
- CO2
- No CO₂ needed
- Temperature
- 64–82°F
- 18–28°C
- Max height
- 7.9 in
- 20 cm
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Placement
- Epiphyte
- Type
- Rhizome
- pH
- 5.0–7.5
- Hardness
- 2–15 dGH
- Spread
- 7.9 in (20 cm)
- Nutrient uptake
- Water column
- Growth region
- Submersed or emersed
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
- Origin
- Cultivated form (nursery selection, no wild range)
Overview
Black Forest java fern goes on driftwood or stone, tied or glued with the rhizome kept out of the substrate, since a buried rhizome rots. It reaches about 20 cm and packs in leaves, so give it more room than plain java fern, or the inner leaves shade each other and thin out. Low light and no CO2 are enough. Pale sand, light rock or bright green plants behind it show off the dark leaves. Against dark wood and black soil it is hard to see. Pinch off plantlets from older leaves once they have roots.
In the wild
Black Forest java fern is a trade form with no known wild population. A Thai grower sells it as Microsorum Black Forest (Hardy), and US shops have carried it since at least 2018. Its parent species grows on wet rocks, roots and fallen wood along forest streams from northeastern India and southern China to Malaysia, Thailand and Java.
Good to know
Black Forest is a cultivar of Leptochilus pteropus in the fern family Polypodiaceae, still sold under the older name Microsorum pteropus. Its narrow, lance-shaped leaves are a very dark green, with prominent dark veins and a puckered, textured surface. The clump grows denser than plain java fern. Beside Narrow Leaf it looks darker and rougher, and Philippine has broader, paler leaves with a hammered finish.
Did you know
Black Forest also sells as 'Hardy Leaf' java fern, and a Thai grower lists it as Microsorum Black Forest (Hardy). Search both names when shopping, since some sellers use only one of them.