SafePlants

Bolbitis quoyana

Bolbitis quoyana is a perennial fern with erect fronds, also known as the Asian water fern. This species belongs to the family Lomariopsidaceae.

Considerations for Pets

• This fern can grow up to 60 cm tall, with fronds reaching 30-120 cm, making it a potentially accessible plant for pets in the home.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Bolbitis quoyana (Gaudich.) Ching
• Family: Lomariopsidaceae or Dryopteridaceae (sources vary)
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Phylum: Pteridophyta (Ferns) or Embryophyta (sources vary)
• Class: Filicopsida or Polypodiopsida (sources vary)
• Order: Polypodiales
• Synonyms:
  • Acrostichum quoyanum Gaudich.
  • Aspidium novo-pommeranicum Brause ex Rech.
  • Bolbitis boninensis Tuyama
• Alternative Combination: Ching (various sources)

Distribution and Habitat

• Bolbitis quoyana is found in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Specific locations mentioned include northern Queensland, Australia, and Papuasia.
• It grows in very moist spots and is found at low to moderate elevations, on terrestrial shaded banks, and in deep ravines.

Morphological Characteristics

• Perennial fern growing up to 60 cm tall.
• Rhizome is short-creeping with narrowly ovate scales and narrowly acute apices.
• Fronds are erect, 30-120 cm long, and dark green to dark bluish green.

Genetic Information

• Detailed cytological study shows a chromosome number of 2n=123.
• Regular formation of 41 bivalents and 41 univalents was consistently observed in spore mother cells, suggesting a triploid nature (41 II+ 123 Triploid. 41 I).

Conservation Status

• In the Northern Territory of Australia, Bolbitis quoyana is listed as Vulnerable.

Further Information

• EOL (Encyclopedia of Life)
• NCBI Taxonomy
• USDA Plant Hardiness Map
• The Plant List
• IPNI (International Plant Names Index)
• Australian Plant Name Index
• NYBG (New York Botanical Garden) Virtual Herbarium
• JSTOR