Systematics

Description

Distribution & Habitat

Culture

Propagation

Uses

References

Salvinia is the smallest plant pictured

Salvinia natans

Scientific Name

Salvinia natans

 

Common Name

Floating Fern

 

Taxonomy

 

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Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Polypodiophyta

Class: Salviniopsida

Order: Salviniaceae

Family: Salvinia

Genus: Salvinia

Species: natans

Reference for Systematics:Tropica Aquarium Plants

Description

Salvina natans, sometimes called a moss is actually a floating aquatic fern. The leaves measure about 1/2 an inch in diameter. The leaves are small, round and covered with small hairs or papillae. Papillae serve as water proofing. The plant consists of two floating leaves and a third submerged leaf that seves as a root. The spore cases are at the base of this submerged leaf. Air cavities in the leaves help the tiny plant to stay afloat. An annual fern, in the wild this plant will grow very large often covering entire lake surfaces.

Reference for Description:

UMM Greenhouses and Consevatory

Distribution and Habitat

Salvinia natans prefers to grow on standing water. It grows best in open sunlight and warm temperatures (20^oC - 28^oC). High humidity and open space foster S. natans growth. S. natans can be found on nearly every continant. It is very common in cental Europe, South America, Asia and Africa. Often used as an aqaurium ornamental, the origin of S. natans is quetionable. Aquriumists often remove the fern from thier tanks because Salvinia natans will completly cover the top of the aquarium blocking light from the ground rooted plants. Once introduced into the wild S. natans is a polerific breeder. Some speculate that Salvinia originated in tropical South America, Maylasia, or Central Europe.

Purchasing Plants

 Cultural Information

Soil · The plant simply needs to float on open water. No planting or soil is necesary.

Water requirement ·open water

Light · bright light
Humidity · high
Temperature · 20^oC to 28^oC
Other · Salvinia can be purchased from pet and aquarium shops. The lid should be removed from the aquaruim to allow heat dissapation. While S. natans enjoys warmth, excess heat will wilt the plant. Light or browning leaves are a sign of insufficient nutrition. Adding a few fish will help add nutrients that S. natans requires. To prevent the plant from taking the light from bottom dwelling plants, thin periodically.

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Reference for Cultural Information:Tropica Aquarium Plants

Propagation Methods

 

It does not get any easeir than this. For succesful propagation Salvinia natans need only to be divided. The divided plant will soon form a surface cover.

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References for Propagation Methods:UMM Greenhouses and Consevatory

Uses/ Fun Facts

Salvinia is a common aquarium plant. The shade created by Salvinia encourages the growth of shade loving plants. This fern is great for fish breeding tanks. Fry love to hide amoung its submerged leaves. During my research I came across a story. After buying Salvinia for his aquarium a man came to discover several small fish in his tank. The fry were so well hidden amoung the natans that they were shipped to him along with his purcahse. In the wild, S. natans is not so useful. An introduced species in many parts of the world, this aquatic fern is a nuicence. It clogs boat moters and covers fishing lines. The shade created by this plant often kills bottom dwelling plants.

References for Uses and Fun Facts:Pets Warehouse

 General References

For more information on Salvinia and other plants check out the following links:

UMM Greenhouses and Consevatory

Pets Warehouse

Purchasing Plants

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Image References:

Tropica Aqurium Plants

Salvinia natans

UMM Greenhouse and Consevatory

This page was developed by:

Joyce McCauley, W&J Class of 2003

Last revised on 4-30-01