1/2 CUP Fern Mexican Caulerpa Algae Feather Plant Macro!!

Your Buying 1/2 CUP FULL of Mexican Caulerpa Algae

Caulerpa are fast-growing green algae with fronds (“leaves”) that come in a variety of shapes. The fronds from to between 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) in length and are attached to long runners (“stems”) called rhizomes. Besides simply spreading outwards, Caulerpa can also propagate themselves vegetatively through sections of rhizome that break off the parent plant and become established elsewhere.

Caulerpa rhizomes are attached to the substrate by fine hair-like extensions known as rhizoids. As is the case with all algae, the similarities between rhizoids and the roots of true (vascular) plants such as seagrasses are misleading; rhizoids only anchor the algae in the sediment, and play no role in absorbing mineral nutrients. Caulerpa, like all algae, absorb the minerals they need from the water via their leaves.

Caulerpa are found in a variety of shallow water marine habitats. Substrate types vary from solid rock through to sand and mud, and Caulerpa can be found in both calm and rough water areas. Because of their adaptability and the ease with which they can propagate themselves vegetatively, Caulerpa can be a highly invasive species.

Taxonomy

Caulerpa are members of the Chlorophyta, or green algae. More specifically, they are members of the order Bryopsidales, a group that includes some other familiar ornamental algae, including Halimeda and Penicillus. The full taxonomy of the genus is as follows:

Empire Eukaryota

Kingdom Plantae

Subkingdom Viridaeplantae

Phylum Chlorophyta

Class Bryopsidophyceae

Order Bryopsidales

Family Caulerpaceae

Genus Caulerpa

Species roster

The following species are regularly traded and do well under aquarium conditions.

Caulerpa mexicana


Common names: Feather algae, Fern algae

Lighting: Low to moderate

Flow: Moderate to heavy

Frond description: Dark green segmented fronds

Notes: Grows short fronds in heavy flow ,larger ones in low flow conditions