| Dicranopteris linearis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Gleicheniales |
| Family: | Gleicheniaceae |
| Genus: | Dicranopteris |
| Species: | D. linearis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dicranopteris linearis | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
|
List
| |
Dicranopteris linearis is a common species of fern known by many common names, including Old World forked fern, uluhe ( Hawaiian), and dilim ( Filipino). It is one of the most widely distributed ferns of the wet Old World tropics and adjacent regions, including Polynesia and the Pacific. [3] In parts of the New World tropics its niche is filled by its relative, Dicranopteris pectinatus. [3]
This rhizomatous fern spreads via cloning, spreading along the ground and climbing on other vegetation, often forming thickets 3 metres deep or more. The stem grows from the rhizome, branches at a 45° angle, and forms fronds that continue to bud and branch. In this way the growth can continue for a long distance as the plant forms a mat, grows over itself in layers, and spreads. [4] When climbing, the leafy branches can reach over 6 metres long [5] and can climb 10 high when supported by a tree. [3] The ultimate segments of the leaves are linear in shape, up to 7 centimeters long by a few millimeters wide. The undersides are hairy and sometimes waxy. [6] It can also reproduce via spores. [4]
The fern grows easily on poorly drained, nutrient-poor soils and in disturbed habitats and steep slopes. [3] [4] It does not tolerate shade, so once established it will eventually be shaded out by taller vegetation unless it climbs above it. [3] It may suppress the growth of new stands of trees, especially when it becomes a dense thicket. [3]
The fern is a keystone species in Hawaiian ecosystems, and dominates many areas in Hawaiian rainforests. [3] It occurs on all the main Hawaiian islands. [4] As a pioneer species in ecological succession, it can colonize bare sites such as lava flows, talus, and abandoned roads. When the fern grows onto a new site it produces layers of stems and leaves repeatedly until there is a network of vegetation. The leaves die and the stems are very slow to decompose, so the network persists. The network then fills with organic forest detritus, forming a litter layer which can be a meter thick. The network is penetrated by the fern's rhizomes and roots, such that the fern serves as its own substrate. [3] Where the fern is eliminated, invasive species of plants can move in, so "one important function" of the fern is to prevent these plants from encroaching on the rainforest. [3] The fern may have allelopathic effects, preventing the growth of other plants. [7] Also, the fern is a very productive member of the forest ecosystem; despite being a relatively small amount of the biomass in the forest it accounts for over half of the primary productivity in some areas. [3]
This plant is used medicinally to treat intestinal worms in Indochina, skin ulcers and wounds in New Guinea, and fever in Malaysia. [8] In vitro samples of the fern kill bacteria. [8]
The Diliman district in Quezon City in the Philippines' National Capital Region derived its name from Dicranopteris linearis, locally known as "Dilim" (the suffix "-an" indicates a place where something, in this case the fern, is common). As such, it is also the origin of the name of the University of the Philippines Diliman campus. [9]
The fiddleheads of the fern are used in floral arrangements. [4]
References
- ^ "Dicranopteris linearis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ^ "Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.f.) Underw". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Russell, A. E., et al. (1998). The ecology of the climbing fern Dicranopteris linearis on windward Mauna Loa, Hawaii. Archived 2021-07-15 at the Wayback Machine Journal of Ecology 86 765.
- ^ a b c d e Romanchak, E., et al. The propagation and production of uluhe fern for potential use as a restoration species.
- ^ Dicranopteris linearis. The Nature Conservancy.
- ^ Dicranopteris linearis. Flora of New South Wales.
- ^ Ismail, B. S. and C. Tut-Vun. (2007). Effects of the extract of Dicranopteris linearis on seed germination and seedling growth of selected common weeds in Malaysia. Archived 2011-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Allelopathy Journal 20:2.
- ^ a b Toji, T., et al. (2007). Antibacterial activity of Dicranopteris linearis under in vitro conditions. Archived 2012-03-20 at the Wayback Machine STARS Int. Journal (Sciences). 1:2 191-95.
- ^ "Gifts of love and remembrance". 31 May 2014.
External links
- USDA Plants Profile
- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Dicranopteris linearis". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.
| Dicranopteris linearis | |
|---|---|
|
| |
|
Scientific classification
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Gleicheniales |
| Family: | Gleicheniaceae |
| Genus: | Dicranopteris |
| Species: | D. linearis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dicranopteris linearis | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
|
List
| |
Dicranopteris linearis is a common species of fern known by many common names, including Old World forked fern, uluhe ( Hawaiian), and dilim ( Filipino). It is one of the most widely distributed ferns of the wet Old World tropics and adjacent regions, including Polynesia and the Pacific. [3] In parts of the New World tropics its niche is filled by its relative, Dicranopteris pectinatus. [3]
This rhizomatous fern spreads via cloning, spreading along the ground and climbing on other vegetation, often forming thickets 3 metres deep or more. The stem grows from the rhizome, branches at a 45° angle, and forms fronds that continue to bud and branch. In this way the growth can continue for a long distance as the plant forms a mat, grows over itself in layers, and spreads. [4] When climbing, the leafy branches can reach over 6 metres long [5] and can climb 10 high when supported by a tree. [3] The ultimate segments of the leaves are linear in shape, up to 7 centimeters long by a few millimeters wide. The undersides are hairy and sometimes waxy. [6] It can also reproduce via spores. [4]
The fern grows easily on poorly drained, nutrient-poor soils and in disturbed habitats and steep slopes. [3] [4] It does not tolerate shade, so once established it will eventually be shaded out by taller vegetation unless it climbs above it. [3] It may suppress the growth of new stands of trees, especially when it becomes a dense thicket. [3]
The fern is a keystone species in Hawaiian ecosystems, and dominates many areas in Hawaiian rainforests. [3] It occurs on all the main Hawaiian islands. [4] As a pioneer species in ecological succession, it can colonize bare sites such as lava flows, talus, and abandoned roads. When the fern grows onto a new site it produces layers of stems and leaves repeatedly until there is a network of vegetation. The leaves die and the stems are very slow to decompose, so the network persists. The network then fills with organic forest detritus, forming a litter layer which can be a meter thick. The network is penetrated by the fern's rhizomes and roots, such that the fern serves as its own substrate. [3] Where the fern is eliminated, invasive species of plants can move in, so "one important function" of the fern is to prevent these plants from encroaching on the rainforest. [3] The fern may have allelopathic effects, preventing the growth of other plants. [7] Also, the fern is a very productive member of the forest ecosystem; despite being a relatively small amount of the biomass in the forest it accounts for over half of the primary productivity in some areas. [3]
This plant is used medicinally to treat intestinal worms in Indochina, skin ulcers and wounds in New Guinea, and fever in Malaysia. [8] In vitro samples of the fern kill bacteria. [8]
The Diliman district in Quezon City in the Philippines' National Capital Region derived its name from Dicranopteris linearis, locally known as "Dilim" (the suffix "-an" indicates a place where something, in this case the fern, is common). As such, it is also the origin of the name of the University of the Philippines Diliman campus. [9]
The fiddleheads of the fern are used in floral arrangements. [4]
References
- ^ "Dicranopteris linearis". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2011-11-16.
- ^ "Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.f.) Underw". Plants of the World Online. Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Russell, A. E., et al. (1998). The ecology of the climbing fern Dicranopteris linearis on windward Mauna Loa, Hawaii. Archived 2021-07-15 at the Wayback Machine Journal of Ecology 86 765.
- ^ a b c d e Romanchak, E., et al. The propagation and production of uluhe fern for potential use as a restoration species.
- ^ Dicranopteris linearis. The Nature Conservancy.
- ^ Dicranopteris linearis. Flora of New South Wales.
- ^ Ismail, B. S. and C. Tut-Vun. (2007). Effects of the extract of Dicranopteris linearis on seed germination and seedling growth of selected common weeds in Malaysia. Archived 2011-10-01 at the Wayback Machine Allelopathy Journal 20:2.
- ^ a b Toji, T., et al. (2007). Antibacterial activity of Dicranopteris linearis under in vitro conditions. Archived 2012-03-20 at the Wayback Machine STARS Int. Journal (Sciences). 1:2 191-95.
- ^ "Gifts of love and remembrance". 31 May 2014.
External links
- USDA Plants Profile
- Dressler, S.; Schmidt, M. & Zizka, G. (2014). "Dicranopteris linearis". African plants – a Photo Guide. Frankfurt/Main: Forschungsinstitut Senckenberg.