Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mini bolbitis
Bolbitis heteroclita "difformis" (C.Presl) Ching
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Height in the aquarium
low to high
Light
low
CO₂ needs
23–28 °C
Ideal temperature
Water parameters
Understand these values- Position
- on hardscape, midground, foreground
- Propagation
- plantlets on the leaves, rhizome division, separating offshoots
- Uses
- nano tank
- Grows emersed
- yes
In the wild
Overview
This small fern from the Philippines is sold under names such as “mini Bolbitis” or “Davallia”, although it is not a Davallia. Its divided leaves recall parsley when it grows out of water. Submerged, it stays smaller and grows thicker leaves, with extremely slow growth.
- Scientific name
- Bolbitis heteroclita "difformis" (C.Presl) Ching
- Classification
- Polypodiales › Dryopteridaceae
- IUCN Red List
- Not evaluated (NE)
Natural habitat
Southeast Asia
Observations (GBIF) and localities Native countries Rivers and lakes
- Native countries
Range of the species Bolbitis heteroclita according to Kew:
- Introduced by people
No introduction reported outside its native range.
Countries: Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP). Dots: GBIF observations in the native countries.
In the aquarium
Growing in the aquarium
It does best in a humid terrarium or a warm paludarium. Growing it underwater is possible, but expect it to settle in very slowly. It can be tied to a lava stone with thread. Check its identity when buying: “mini Bolbitis” also refers to other small ferns whose aquarium performance is uncertain.
Sources:Flowgrow GBIF POWO (Kew) · Base map: Natural Earth