Watersprite
Ceratopteris thalictroides
Also known as: Ceratopteris gaudichaudii
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Brazil, Cambodia, Caroline Is., China, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Hainan, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Madagascar, Malaya, Marianas, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nicobar Is., Palau, Panamá, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Solomon Is., Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, United States, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
iNaturalist: © sajibbiswas (iNaturalist #54244453)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Pteridaceae
- Genus:
- Ceratopteris
- Species:
- Ceratopteris thalictroides
- USDA Symbol:
- CETH2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 50 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- fish, aquatic invertebrates
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, organic, water-retentive soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and aquatic environments
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Notes:
- Reproduces via spores; spores germinate readily on moist surfaces. Also reproduces prolifically through adventitious plantlets on frond margins.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI