Giant bracken (Pteris tripartita, J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2):67. 1801)

Family: Pteridaceae

Author: Sw.

Bibliography: J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2):67. 1801

Year: 1801

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pteris

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Old World to Pacific

Description

Giant bracken, known scientifically as Pteris tripartita, is a noteworthy member of the Pteridaceae family. This botanical species was first described by the renowned botanist Sw. in the early 19th century, and its initial publication can be traced back to the Jahrbuch für die Botanik (Schrader) in 1800.

Indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions, Giant bracken is found across the Old World and extends its reach to the Pacific islands. The extensive distribution highlights its adaptability to various climatic conditions prevalent in these broad regions. Its presence in diverse ecosystems underlines its ecological versatility and the vital role it plays in these environments.

Characterized by its lush, expansive fronds, Pteris tripartita is a fern that captures the essence of verdant flora found in both tropical and subtropical zones. The vigor of its growth and the sheer size of its leaves mark it as a dominant plant in its natural habitat, contributing to the dense underbrush typical of these regions. Its structure supports a multitude of microhabitats, fostering biodiversity by providing shelter and sustenance to various organisms.

The study and understanding of Giant bracken have practical implications, particularly in the fields of ecology and conservation biology. Insights into its growth patterns, reproductive biology, and ecological interactions are crucial for managing native habitats and crafting strategies for habitat restoration in regions where this fern is a keystone species.

Research and observations of Pteris tripartita continue to enrich botanical science, offering valuable information about the biodiversity and ecological dynamics of tropical and subtropical ecosystems. This enduring species, with its historical botanical recognition, remains a significant focus for scientists and botanists worldwide.

Common Names

Eng: giant brake, giant bracken
En: Giant bracken, Giant brake
Zh: 三腳鳳尾蕨
Zh-tw: 三腳鳳尾蕨

Synonyms

• Litobrochia tripartita ((Sw.) C.Presl)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chagos Archipelago (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Christmas I. (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Cook Is. (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Fiji (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Gilbert Is. (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Marquesas (native)
• Marshall Is. (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Nauru (native)
• New Caledonia (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Niue (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Santa Cruz Is. (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Society Is. (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Tubuai Is. (native)
• Tuvalu (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jun 1, 2009 by Endemia – Rémy Prelli (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 1, 2009 by Endemia – Rémy Prelli (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 23, 2017 by Endemia – Rémy Amice (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 5, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 2, 2022 by MUH. IDRIS (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 23, 2017 by Endemia – Rémy Amice (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 23, 2017 by Endemia – Rémy Amice (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Feb 23, 2017 by Endemia – Rémy Amice (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 23, 2017 by Endemia – Rémy Amice (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 23, 2017 by Endemia – Rémy Amice (cc-by-nc)

© 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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17217170-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5275407)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pteris tripartita Sw.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth