Family: Dennstaedtiaceae
Author: (Thunb.) J.Sm.
Bibliography: Hist. Fil.: 295 (1875)
Year: 1875
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Histiopteris
Vegetable: False
Observations: Tropics & Subtropics
Description
The batwing fern, scientifically known as Histiopteris incisa, is an intriguing and distinctive member of the Dennstaedtiaceae family. First described in J.Sm.’s historical botanical literature in 1875, this fern captivates with its unique morphology resembling the wings of a bat – a feature that undoubtedly inspired its common name.
Thriving primarily in the tropics and subtropics, the batwing fern demonstrates remarkable adaptability to warm, humid climates, where it often becomes a prominent component of the understory vegetation. Its widespread occurrence in these regions underscores its ecological importance and resilience.
Histiopteris incisa is celebrated for its finely divided, intricately lobed fronds that contribute to its delicate, airy appearance. The fronds, with their batwing-like silhouette, are arranged in a graceful arching habit, providing a visually appealing texture to the surrounding flora. The fertile fronds bear clusters of sori, which are essential for the reproductive cycle, allowing the fern to propagate and sustain its populations.
Botanists and plant enthusiasts alike appreciate the batwing fern for both its aesthetic qualities and ecological significance. Its presence in diverse ecological niches highlights its adaptability and the crucial role it plays in maintaining the health and biodiversity of tropical and subtropical ecosystems.
In summary, the batwing fern, Histiopteris incisa, with its distinctive wing-shaped fronds and widespread occurrence in tropical and subtropical climates, is a remarkable testament to the rich diversity of the plant kingdom. Its graceful form and ecological resilience make it a fascinating subject for study and admiration.
Common Names
Mri: mata
Eng: batwing fern
En: Batwing fern
Mi: Mata
Synonyms
- Histiopteris sinuata ((Brack.) J.Sm.)
- Phegopteris incisa ((Thunb.) Keyserl.)
- Litobrochia incisa ((Thunb.) C.Presl)
- Pteris incisa (Thunb.)
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Antipodean Is. (native)
- Ascension (native)
- Assam (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- Chatham Is. (native)
- Chile South (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Cook Is. (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- East Himalaya (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Equatorial Guinea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Galápagos (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- India (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Japan (native)
- Juan Fernández Is. (native)
- Kazan-retto (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Kermadec Is. (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Laos (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Marquesas (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nepal (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- New Zealand North (native)
- New Zealand South (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Norfolk Is. (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Ogasawara-shoto (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Peru (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Samoa (native)
- Seychelles (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Society Is. (native)
- Solomon Is. (native)
- South Australia (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tasmania (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Tonga (native)
- Tristan da Cunha (native)
- Tubuai Is. (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Vanuatu (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
© 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.
Leaf
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 19, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Michael Epp (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2022 by Boris Therock (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken May 15, 2022 by Boris Therock (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken May 15, 2022 by Boris Therock (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 15, 2022 by Boris Therock (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2650774)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17119990-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Histiopteris incisa (Thunb.) J. Sm.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb