Ceratopteris - Economic Use

Economic Use

Ceratopteris is a fairly popular aquarium plant, often sold under the name "water sprite." It may be grown as an emersed but natant (floating) plant, or as an immersed plant rooted in the substrate. The most common species in use in aquaria are C. thalictroides and C. pteridoides.

Plants of this genus have also been used for food, as a green, with the common name "water lettuce." However, it is now known that these ferns are also carcinogenic if ingested.