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Blechnum vulcanicum

Scientific Name: Blechnum vulcanicum

Family: Blechnaceae

Category: Fern

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Blechnum vulcanicum

Blechnum vulcanicum, belonging to the Blechnaceae family, is a fern with several common names. This plant can be found in various regions and habitats, exhibiting interesting morphological and ecological characteristics.

Common Names

  • Wedge Water-fern
  • Wedge Blechnum
  • Mountain hard fern
  • Korokio (M?ori name)
  • Volcanic blechnum

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Blechnum vulcanicum (Blume) Kuhn
  • Family: Blechnaceae
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Phylum: Embryophyta
  • Class: Ferns
  • Order: Polypodiales
  • Synonyms:
    • Plant Names Index lists it as Blechnum vulcanicum (Bl.) Kuhn
    • Catalogue of Life lists it as Blechnum vulcanicum (Bl.) Kuhn
    • Blechnum attenuatum var. confine (de Cord.) Tard.
    • Blechnum auratum subsp. auratum (Fe) R. M. Tryon & Stolze
    • Blechnum vulcanicum var. rapense E. Br.

Etymology

  • Blechnum: Derived from "blechnon," a Greek name for a type of fern.
  • vulcanicum: Derived from the Latin "vulcanicus," referring to its discovery on or near a volcano.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Grows in cool, moist habitats, including rainforests and rock outcrops in high rainfall areas.
  • Found growing from rock overhangs and cliff faces.
  • Native to western Tasmania, New Zealand, Victoria, Papua New Guinea.
  • Observed in the Philippines, specifically Mindanao (Bukidnon province, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park).
  • Also found growing on road banks along bush margins, preferring moist soils and light shade.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Moderately common native ground fern.
  • Rhizome is stout and erect, invested by bases of fallen stipites.
  • Densely clad in dark brown subulate-attenuate paleae approximately 1 cm long.
  • Stipites (frond stalks) are tufted and pale brown.
  • Has slightly crinkly and often hairy sterile fronds.
  • Leaves are evergreen and imparipinnate, arising from the base.
  • Leaflets are lanceolate.
  • May have pink foliage when young.

Genetic Information

  • Within the genus Blechnum, including B. vulcanicum, there are two basic chromosome numbers.
  • B. penna-marina, B. vulcanicum and B. fluviatile possess a thick perispore.

Quirky Facts

  • Fronds of Blechnum vulcanicum have been investigated for their ecdysteroid content.

Resources and Further Information

  • Australian Plant Census
  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
  • Discover Life
  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Natural History Museum (BM) - Herbarium specimen available.
  • Te Papa's collections