Bolbitis sp. "Sungai Kabo"

This fern was imported from Sarawak (Malaysian part of Borneo). The name affix refers to the place where it was collected, i.e. Sungai Kabo river. It is probably a rheophytic form (adapted to flowing water) of Bolbitis heteroclita. It has narrow lanceolate to lineal medium to dark green leaves on stalks that grow out of a creeping rhizome. On the leaf blade basis, there is often a short obtuse lobe on each side. Bolbitis sp. "Sungai Kabo" resembles narrow-leaved forms of Java fern (Microsorum pteropus). Up to now, the plant is only cultivated by a few hobbyists and is not available in trade.

The habitat (Sungai Kabo) was a fast-flowing rainforest river with rocky underground. The fern was growing mostly in emersed groups on rocky ridges along the median waterline.

Bolbitis sp. "Sungai Kabo" can easily be cultivated emersed on moist substrate in very humid air. This fern also grows quite fast when cultivated submersed, comparable to Bolbitis heteroclita "cuspidata". Whereas the emersed leaves are opaque and of a matte medium green, the submersed leaves are dark green and a little translucent. Sometimes the submersed leaves develop dark spots, most frequently under strong light. Under low light and a good level of CO2 it grows healthy leaves.

- To be continued -