Family: Polypodiaceae
Author: (Sw.) J.Sm.
Bibliography: J. Bot. (Hooker) 4: 196 (1841)
Year: 1841
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Didymochlaena
Vegetable: False
Observations: Tropics & Subtropics
Description
The Mahogany fern, scientifically known as Didymochlaena truncatula, is a striking representative of the Polypodiaceae family. This fern is notable not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ecological adaptability, thriving predominantly in the tropics and subtropics.
Recognized formally in J. Bot. (Hooker) 4: 196 in the year 1841, with its classification attributed to botanist J. Sm., the Mahogany fern has long been admired by botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. Its lush, dark green fronds are often highlighted by a bronze or mahogany tint, particularly in new growth, which undeniably contributes to its common name.
Didymochlaena truncatula has a versatile nature, making it a popular choice for both garden landscapes in suitable climates and as an indoor plant in less hospitable conditions. The fern’s elegant and finely divided fronds create a textured, yet graceful appearance, providing a soft, yet luxuriant touch to any setting.
In its native habitats in the tropics and subtropics, the Mahogany fern often grows in the understories of forests, enjoying the humid and shaded environments. Its adaptability to lower light conditions also makes it suitable for indoor cultivation, provided it receives adequate humidity and care. It’s essential to mimic its natural habitat by maintaining a consistently moist soil, rich in organic matter, and avoiding direct sunlight which can damage the delicate fronds.
In addition to its beauty, the Mahogany fern plays a significant role in its ecosystem, contributing to the humidity and stability of the forest floor, and offering shelter and microhabitats for various insects and small fauna.
Whether as a resilient garden plant or an elegant houseplant, Didymochlaena truncatula continues to charm plant lovers with its distinct and refined foliage, evidencing the timeless marvel of nature’s design.
Common Names
Eng: mahogany fern
Swe: rektangelbräken
En: Mahogany fern
Zh: 翼囊蕨, 翼囊蕨科
Fi: Vahasanikka
Sv: Rektangelbräken
Synonyms
- Didymochlaena lunulata var. minor (Christ)
- Didymochlaena sinuosa var. microtheca (Fée)
- Didymochlaena pulcherrima ((Raddi) Herter)
- Diplazium pulcherrimum (Raddi)
- Aspidium squamatum (Willd.)
- Nephrolepis lunulata (Keyserl.)
- Asplenium fruticosum (Vell.)
- Didymochlaena lunulata var. dimidiata ((Kunze) Kuhn)
- Monochlaena sinuosa ((Desv.) Gaudich.)
- Aspidium cultratum (C.Presl)
- Didymochlaena dimidiata (Kunze)
- Aspidium truncatulum (Sw.)
- Didymochlaena lunulata (Desv.)
- Aspidium squamosum (Poir.)
- Didymochlaena sinuosa (Desv.)
- Didymochlaena squamata ((Willd.) Desv.)
- Tegularia adiantifolia (Reinw.)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Assam (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Fiji (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4047017)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17084790-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Didymochlaena truncatula (Sw.) J. Sm.)