Basket fern (Drynaria rigidula, Ferns Brit. India: t. 314 (1869))

Family: Polypodiaceae

Author: (Sw.) Bedd.

Bibliography: Ferns Brit. India: t. 314 (1869)

Year: 1869

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Drynaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: China (SW. Yunnan) to SW. Pacific

Description

The Basket Fern, scientifically known as Drynaria rigidula, is a distinguished member of the Polypodiaceae family. This intriguing plant, identified and described in 1869, has captivated botanists and plant enthusiasts alike with its unique growth patterns and adaptability.

Native to the regions spanning from Southwestern Yunnan in China to the Southwestern Pacific, the Basket Fern thrives in a variety of environments, showcasing its resilience and versatility. Its habitat extends across diverse climates and terrains, indicating its robust nature and ecological significance.

The Basket Fern exhibits a distinct biology, characterized by its rigid, nest-like fronds that give the plant its common name. These fronds serve a dual purpose: they not only provide the fern with structural support but also play a crucial role in collecting and retaining moisture and nutrients. This adaptive trait enables the fern to flourish even in environments with limited resources.

Botanically noted in the comprehensive work “Ferns of British India” (Ferns Brit. India: t. 314), the Basket Fern was meticulously classified by the botanist Beddome, who acknowledged the contributions of earlier botanists like Swartz. His detailed observations have provided a foundational understanding of this plant’s anatomy and ecological function.

The Basket Fern holds a significant position within the Polypodiaceae family, exemplifying the intricate relationships between plants and their habitats. Its ability to adapt, along with its unique morphological characteristics, makes Drynaria rigidula an excellent subject for continued botanical study and conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of preserving such remarkable plant species.

Common Names

Eng: basket fern
En: Basket fern, Fern

Synonyms

• Polypodium irioides f. cristatum ((F.M.Bailey) F.M.Bailey)
• Polypodium rigidulum var. diversipinnae (F.M.Bailey)
• Polypodium glaucistipes (Wall.)
• Drynaria gaudichaudii (Bory)
• Aglaomorpha rigidula ((Sw.) Hovenkamp & S.Linds.)
• Drynaria baudouinii (E.Fourn.)
• Polypodium rigidulum var. vidgenii (F.M.Bailey)
• Phymatodes gaudichaudii (C.Presl)
• Drynaria diversifolia (J.Sm.)
• Polypodium rigidulum var. whitei (F.M.Bailey)
• Drynaria rigidula f. cristata ((F.M.Bailey) Domin)
• Goniophlebium rigidulum (T.Moore)
• Polypodium punctatum f. cristatum ((Bailey) Domin)
• Polypodium gaudichaudii (Bory)
• Polypodium rigidulum var. cristatum (F.M.Bailey)
• Drynaria glaucistipes (J.Sm.)
• Drynaria rigidula var. whitei ((Bailey) F.Ballard)
• Polypodium rigidulum (Sw.)
• Drynaria rigidula var. vidgenii ((F.M.Bailey) Domin)
• Polypodium baudouinii (Baker)
• Drynaria pinnata (Fée)

Distribution

• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Fiji (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• New Caledonia (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Vanuatu (native)
• Vietnam (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 24, 2020 by Silas Abay (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 14, 2022 by Rodríguez Abraham (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2022 by Farias Tovitto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2017 by Frank Hübner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 15, 2019 by Frank Hübner (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2011 by Daniel Barthelemy (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7126699)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17091820-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Drynaria rigidula (Sw.) Bedd.)

Specifications

Growth