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Phymatosorus membranifolium (R. Br.) S.G. Lu
| Family Name: | Polypodiaceae |
| Synonyms: | Microsorum alternifolium (Willd.) Copel., Microsorum membranifolium (R. Br.) Ching, Microsorum nigrescens (Blume) Copel., Phymatosorus nigrescens (Blume) Pic. Serm., Phymatosorus variabilis (Mett. ex Kuhn) Pic. Serm., Polypodium alternifolium Willd., Polypodium membranifolium R. Br., Polypodium nigrescens Blume |
| Common Name: | Pimple Fern, 显脉瘤蕨 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Fern) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte, Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sri Lanka, south of India, Vietnam, Cambodia, throughout Malesia to Australia and Polynesia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Creeping terrestrial herb, up to 1.3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Stipe smooth, up to 50 cm long. Laminae pinnately divided almost to the midrib, up to 80 cm long by 40 cm wide. Basal lobes reduced, lateral lobes linear, with a long pointed tip, longest near the base, gradually reducing in size towards the tip of the laminae, up to 30 cm long by 4.5 cm wide, papery texture. |
| Stems | Rhizome thick, creeping, about 1 cm wide, covered with circular to oblong scales. |
| Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant | Sori round and raised, arranged linearly along both sides of the costa on the underside of the laminae. |
| Habitat | In open lowland forest habitats. |
| Etymology | The genus Phymatosorus is derived from the Greek words "phyma" which means swollen and "soros" which means "heap", referring to the raised sori. The specific epithet membranifolium means thin leaves in Latin. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | This fern is suitable for planting in parks and gardens in shaded or partially shaded places. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Landscape Uses | General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Little Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils |
| Propagation Method | Spore, Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Papery, Thin |
| Foliar Margin | Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31145 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5538 |
| 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. |