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Davallia denticulata (Burm.f.) Mett. ex Kuhn var. denticulata
| Family Name: | Davalliaceae |
| Common Name: | Rabbit's Foot Fern, Paku Tertutup, 假脉骨碎补, 兔脚芒 |
Davallia denticulata or Rabbit's Foot Fern is an native fern that grows to 0.6 m in height. It has tripinnatifid fronds, each leaflet is divided into numerous deltoid segments. The rhizomes are long, creeping covered in brown, toothed hair-like scales, resembling a rabbit's foot. The Rabbit's Foot Fern is tolerant to full sun and dry conditions and found growing on many tree species as an epiphyte.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Fern) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Climber, Vine & Liana, Epiphyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical Asia to Hainan, Eastern Queensland |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Inland Cliff, Mountain, Agricultural Land, Secondary Rainforest, Monsoon Forest, Coastal Forest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is an epiphytic fern that grows to 0.6 m in height. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its fronds are glabrous, tripinnatifid (divided into pinnate thrice) measures between 16-90 cm by 13-50 cm in size. The deltoid blades have lobed margins, measuring at 5 - 27 mm long. There are false veins (bands of regularly arranged short cells without stomata) present between the true veins. The fronds are held on a pale stalk (stipe) of 4 - 50 cm long. |
| Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant | Its pocket-shaped sori are positioned near the margins of the blades on the fertile fronds. Its spores are dispersed by wind. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | It has a stout, long-creeping rhizome (horizontal stem) with numerous brown, toothed scales that are hair-like, resembling a rabbit's foot. |
| Habitat | Found epiphytic on many species of trees of various forest types, partially sheltered by its canopy or various forest. Epilithic on granite, limestone, sandstone or terrestrial on different soil types ranging from the altitude of 0 - 2200 m. |
| Cultivation | Species is tolerant to full sun, dry conditions. Carry out light misting on the soil surface to keep the soil moist and prevent rhizomes from drying out. |
| Etymology | Its genus, Davallia, named after Edmond Davall, an English-born Swiss botanist from the 18th century. The species epithet, denticulata, refers to finely toothed, in relation to the rhizome scales with short spreading curved teeth. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable as an epiphyte for growing on trees. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | Coastal, Roadside Tree / Palm, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Vertical Greenery / Green Wall, Riverine |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Shallow Media (8 -10cm), Well-Drained Soils, Moist Soils |
| Propagation Method | Spore, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Irregularly Incised, Crenate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Oblique / Asymmetrical |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
References
| References | Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (continuously updated). Plants of the World Online | Kew Science. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17078640-1. Accessed 16 December 2021. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 249 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 1545 |
| 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. |
