Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Fern) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Widely distributed throughout the tropics - Africa (in areas south of the Sahara), Central America and South America (Uruguay), India (southwards) and east through Indochina, Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, Fiji and Vanuatu |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Highland / Montane |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Fern with erect/ ascending rhizome, forming a short caudex to 25cm in diameter. Fronds are clustered towards the centre of the caudex giving this species a superficial resemblance to the common tree ferns. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Fronds bipinnate, to 2.5m long, glossy green. Juvenile fronds pale pinkish- reddish brown. Pinnules with entire lower margin; upper margins crenate. Sori 1-6 per pinnule, rusty reddish brown, borne on the tips of the lateral veins and often appearing deeply sunken into the lamina. |
| Habitat | In hill and montane forests; in rocky stream valleys or wet slopes |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Small Gardens, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Lots of Water, Occasional Misting |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Planting Remarks | Can be grown under lowland conditions, but will fare better if given slightly cooler growing conditions. |
| Pest(s) | Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Spore, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Thin |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Brown, Red |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Thin |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31406 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5803 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |