Limpleaf fern (Microlepia speluncae, Index Fil.: 93 (1858))

Family: Dennstaedtiaceae

Author: (L.) T.Moore

Bibliography: Index Fil.: 93 (1858)

Year: 1858

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Microlepia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

The Limpleaf fern, scientifically known as Microlepia speluncae, is a captivating member of the Dennstaedtiaceae family. This fern species, first cataloged in 1858, thrives predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions. Adapted to warm and humid environments, the Limpleaf fern exhibits a robust and intricate frond structure, which contributes to its distinctive appearance.

Microlepia speluncae is renowned for its delicate and finely divided leaflets, forming lush and airy foliage that is both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically significant. These leaflets, or pinnae, are typically linear to lanceolate in shape, contributing to the plant’s common name due to their limpleaf-like appearance. The fronds often appear slightly droopy, enhancing the plant’s graceful and elegant demeanor.

Ecologically, the Limpleaf fern plays a vital role in its habitat. It provides essential ground cover in forested areas, helping to maintain soil moisture and prevent erosion. Its presence supports a diverse array of fauna, offering shelter and a food source for various invertebrates and other forest organisms.

Cultivating Microlepia speluncae as a garden plant requires mimicking its natural habitat. Ideal conditions include partial to full shade with consistently moist, well-drained soil. These ferns are relatively low-maintenance but necessitate protection from direct, harsh sunlight and extreme temperature variations to thrive.

In botanical gardens and collections, the Limpleaf fern is treasured for its ornamental value. Its graceful and intricate foliage adds a touch of natural elegance to shaded garden areas, terrariums, and indoor plant displays. Beyond its visual appeal, this fern serves as a living connection to its tropical roots, encapsulating the lush beauty of its native environments.

In summary, the Limpleaf fern, with its finely divided foliage and ecological importance, stands out as a prominent and attractive species within the Dennstaedtiaceae family. Whether admired in the wild or cultivated in a garden, Microlepia speluncae continues to captivate fern enthusiasts and botanists alike with its timeless beauty and contribution to biodiversity.

Common Names

Swe: grottbräken
Eng: limpleaf fern
En: Limpleaf fern, Limp-Leaf Fern
Sv: Grottbräken

Synonyms

• Davallia jamaicensis (Hook.)
• Dicksonia multifida (Sw.)
• Cystopteris orientalis (Desv.)
• Dryopteris speluncae ((L.) Underw. ex Britton)
• Microlepia speluncae var. pyramidata ((C.B.Clarke) Tardieu & C.Chr.)
• Microlepia subvolubilis (T.Moore)
• Dryopteris asperula ((J.Sm. ex Hook.) C.Chr.)
• Microlepia subrhomboidea (Ching)
• Microlepia trichosticha ((Hook.) J.Sm. ex Fée)
• Davallia virens (Wall.)
• Aspidium dicksoniifolium (A.Rich.)
• Aspidium speluncae ((L.) Willd.)
• Davallia trichosticha (Hook.)
• Microlepia pyramidata ((C.B.Clarke) Lacaita)
• Davallia padioides (Zoll.)
• Scyphofilix speluncae ((L.) Farw.)
• Microlepia mollifolia (Tagawa)
• Microlepia pingpienensis (Ching)
• Davallia polypodioides var. pubescens (Hook.)
• Cystopteris aspidioides (C.Presl)
• Trichomanes flaccida ((R.Br.) Poir.)
• Alsophila grevilleana (Wall.)
• Microlepia speluncae var. villosissima (C.Chr.)
• Microlepia subspeluncae (Ching)
• Microlepia jamaicensis ((Hook.) Fée)
• Microlepia multifida (C.Presl)
• Polypodium speluncae (L.)
• Microlepia hispidula (Alderw.)
• Davallia flaccida var. pyramidata (C.B.Clarke)
• Microlepia lindsayaeformis (Fée)
• Polypodium asperulum (J.Sm. ex Hook.)
• Aspidium puberum (Wall.)
• Dicksonia lessonii (Bory)
• Humata polypodioides (Desv.)
• Microlepia stenoloba (Prantl)
• Davallia pilosula (Wall.)
• Dicksonia polypodioides (Sw.)
• Acrophorus jamaicensis ((Hook.) T.Moore)
• Microlepia aspidioides (C.Presl)
• Scyphofilix speluncae var. jamaicensis (Farw.)
• Davallia mollis (Kunze)
• Davallia polypodioides var. subglabra (Hook.)
• Davallia speluncae ((L.) Baker)
• Microlepia speluncae var. pubescens ((Hook.) Sledge)
• Microlepia straminea (Ching)
• Davallia divergens (Kunze)
• Davallia subvolubilis (Kunze)
• Davallia pilosa (Roxb.)
• Microlepia ganlanbaensis (Ching)
• Dennstaedtia lindsayiformis ((Fée) C.Chr.)
• Microlepia sablanensis (Christ)
• Davallia speluncae var. trichosticha ((Hook.) Baker)
• Microlepia flaccida ((R.Br.) J.Sm.)
• Polypodium nudum (G.Forst.)
• Microlepia mollis (T.Moore)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Christmas I. (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Cook Is. (native)
• Cuba (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Fiji (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Hawaii (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kazan-retto (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Ogasawara-shoto (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Santa Cruz Is. (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Togo (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Vanuatu (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Australia (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.

Habit

Taken May 4, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 4, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 26, 2021 by Kerry Bayles (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 28, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 21, 2022 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 12, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2650730)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1198545-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Microlepia speluncae (L.) T. Moore)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth