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angiopteris fern

Scientific Name: Angiopteris

Family: Marattiaceae

Category: Fern

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Angiopteris evecta: The Giant Fern

Angiopteris evecta, a truly impressive fern, boasts several common names that reflect its grand scale and unique features.

  • Scientific Name: Angiopteris evecta
  • Common Names: Giant Fern, King Fern, Oriental Vessel Fern, Mule's Foot Fern, Ponga, Giant Elephant Fern, Turnip Fern

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is described as having a stout fleshy rhizome.
  • This fern has large fronds that could be tempting for pets to play with or chew on.

Considerations for Children

  • Angiopteris evecta can grow very large, with fronds reaching several meters in length.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Marattiaceae (Vessel Fern Family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Synonyms: Polypodium evectum, Angiopteris evecta (G.Forst.) Hoffm., Angiopteris evecta (J.R. Forst.) Hoffm.
  • Angiopteris is a genus within the Marattiaceae family.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Australia, and New Guinea.
  • Found in eastern and northern Australia, as well as nearby islands.
  • Occurs throughout the paleotropics, from Madagascar to the South Pacific islands.
  • Apparently naturalizing in wet valleys on Oahu.

Ecological Role

  • Has established invasive populations in some areas.
  • Its naturalization in wet valleys is a cause for concern in some regions.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • A large, ground-dwelling fern.
  • Fronds can reach 5 meters or more in length, with some reports of up to 8 meters. These are the largest fronds produced by any fern in the world.
  • Leaf blade is two-pinnate, deltoid, and can reach up to 3.2 meters long and 2.5 meters wide.
  • Has a stout, fleshy, and erect rhizome.
  • The base of the petiole is about one-third the length of the frond.
  • Rhizomes are globular and radial.

Quirky Facts

  • The King Fern can be mistaken for a trunkless Palm.
  • Genera within the Marattiaceae family are distinguished mainly by the disposition of spore-producing structures (sporangia) on the lower side of the leaves.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Forms arbuscular mycorrhiza in cordate gametophytes.

Further Information

  • NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service: Recovery Plan for the Giant Fern (Angiopteris evecta).
  • Encyclopedia of Life provides summaries and articles about Angiopteris evecta.