Microsorum pteropus "Taiwan"

There are several very narrow-leaved forms of the Java fern, Microsorum pteropus, but there is considerable confusion over the names. For example, at least two different forms are called both "Narrow" and "Needle leaf".

The Java fern variant designated here as "Taiwan" is one of these forms. It is quite popular and widespread among aquarists, but mostly under other names. Aquascapers in Asia in particular call the plant "Narrow", but it differs from the cultivar 'Narrow' carried by the company Tropica (Denmark). It is also often called "Needle leaf", but as a mature plant it shows clear differences from the form that we regard as the true "Needle leaf" Java fern.

Microsorum pteropus "Taiwan" has linear, strap-shaped, relatively shortly petiolate leaves that grow approximately 30 to 45 cm long and are mostly 0.5 to 1.5 cm, at most about 2 cm wide. The leaves often have a rather dark shade of green. The true M. pteropus "Needle leaf" looks similar, but as a mature plant has leaves only up to 30 cm long and 3 to 5 mm wide. In the cultivar M. pteropus 'Narrow' the leaves are similarly wide as in "Taiwan", but remain shorter (approx. 30 cm) and have a more narrowly lanceolate shape.

Microsorum pteropus "Taiwan" is sometimes even in circulation as M. pteropus "Philippine", but the cultivar 'Philippine' has more broadly lanceolate, much more strongly puckered (bullate) leaves.