Asplenium flabellifolium
Common species of fern from Australasia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Introduction
| Necklace fern | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Necklace fern on Hawkesbury sandstone at Ferndale Park, Chatswood West, Australia | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Suborder: | Aspleniineae |
| Family: | Aspleniaceae |
| Genus: | Asplenium |
| Species: | A. flabellifolium |
| Binomial name | |
| Asplenium flabellifolium | |
Asplenium flabellifolium is commonly known as the necklace fern, butterfly fern and walking fern.[1][2][3] This small fern occurs in all states of Australia (excluding Northern Territory), as well as throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand from sea level to 1100 m.[1][3][4] It was initially described by Spanish botanist Antonio José Cavanilles.[5]
Description
The fronds are 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in) long, with 5 to 20 pairs of pinnae (leaflets), often fan-shaped or sometimes lanceolate. The fronds are flaccid and tend to droop.[3][4] Spores are born in elongate sori on the underside of the fronds. It has short, erect rhizomes bearing small, dark-brown scales.[1]
Distribution and habitat
Etymology
The name walking fern refers to the plant's tendency for the fronds to re-root at their tips, producing new plants, giving the semblance of walking. Butterfly fern references the shape of the pinnules.[1]
