Family: Polypodiaceae
Author: (Sw.) J.Sm.
Bibliography: Bot. Mag. 72(Companion): 36 (1846)
Year: 1846
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cyclopeltis
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. Mexico to Trop. America
Description
Lime fern, scientifically known as Cyclopeltis semicordata, is a member of the Polypodiaceae family. This fern boasts an extensive distribution range, flourishing from southeastern Mexico through to regions in tropical America, covering a variety of warm and humid habitats.
First documented in the Botanical Magazine in 1846 by J. Smith with the initial classification attributed to Swartz, the lime fern has long intrigued botanists and plant enthusiasts alike. It is celebrated for its elegant, finely-divided fronds that create a lush, delicate canopy, making it a popular choice for naturalists and gardeners seeking to evoke a tropical aesthetic.
In its native environment, Cyclopeltis semicordata thrives in the understorey of tropical forests, where it benefits from the filtered sunlight and moist, rich soil. Its resilience and adaptability to different growing conditions also allow it to be cultivated successfully in shaded gardens and terrariums.
This graceful fern continues to be a subject of interest in botanical studies and horticulture, cherished not only for its beauty but also as a representative of the biodiversity present in tropical ecosystems.
Common Names
Eng: lime fern
En: Lime fern, Limestone Fern
Synonyms
- Polypodium caducum (Willd.)
- Aspidium hemicardion (Trevis.)
- Lastrea semicordata ((Sw.) C.Presl)
- Phanerophlebia semicordata ((Sw.) Conz.)
- Aspidium semicordatum var. americanum (Hook.)
- Aspidium semicordatum ((Sw.) Sw.)
- Hemicardion macrosorum (Fée)
- Hemicardion nephrolepis (Fée)
- Polypodium semicordatum (Sw.)
- Aspidium blechnoides (Sm.)
- Aspidium gaudichaudii (Trevis.)
- Dryopteris semicordata (Kuntze)
- Cyclopeltis semicordata f. crenata (I.Losch)
- Struthiopteris lineata (Broadh.)
- Nephrodium semicordatum ((Sw.) C.Presl)
- Polystichum semicordatum ((Sw.) T.Moore)
- Lastrea caduca (C.Presl)
Distribution
- Belize (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil North (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Galápagos (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Trinidad-Tobago (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jul 8, 2011 by OTS – Chaves-Fallas, José Miguel (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jul 8, 2011 by OTS – Chaves-Fallas, José Miguel (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken May 28, 2022 by alexander bolaños (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2022 by alexander bolaños (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jun 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 8, 2011 by OTS – Chaves-Fallas, José Miguel (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jul 8, 2011 by OTS – Chaves-Fallas, José Miguel (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jul 8, 2011 by OTS – Chaves-Fallas, José Miguel (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jul 8, 2011 by OTS – Chaves-Fallas, José Miguel (cc-by-nc-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/2651219)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1148359-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cyclopeltis semicordata (Sw.) J. Sm.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb