Swordfern (Macrothelypteris torresiana, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 8: 310 (1963))

Family: Aspleniaceae

Author: (Gaudich.) Ching

Bibliography: Acta Phytotax. Sin. 8: 310 (1963)

Year: 1963

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Macrothelypteris

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Indian Ocean, Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to Pacific

Description

The Swordfern, scientifically known as Macrothelypteris torresiana, is a resilient and adaptable fern species found thriving across various geographic landscapes, particularly in the Western Indian Ocean, and extending through tropical and subtropical Asia to the Pacific regions. This widespread distribution highlights the plant’s exceptional versatility in a range of climates and environments.

Belonging to the family Aspleniaceae, the Swordfern exhibits the characteristic hardy and evergreen nature of the family. Its fronds, resembling long, intricate swords, contribute to its common name and are a testament to the plant’s ecological resilience. The lush, green fronds grow in dense clusters, forming rich, textured foliage that can serve both decorative and ecological purposes in their native habitats as well as in cultivated gardens around the world.

First fully described in the scientific literature by the botanist Ching in 1963 under the publication “Acta Phytotaxonomica Sinica,” this fern was officially credited to the earlier work of Gaudich. Ching’s authoritative identification and classification in the mid-20th century have since cemented Macrothelypteris torresiana‘s place in botanical studies and horticulture.

The environmental significance of the Swordfern is profound; it not only adds to the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits but also offers insights into the adaptability and survival mechanisms of ferns in varied climatic conditions. This characteristic makes it a valuable species for ecological studies and conservation efforts.

In summary, the Swordfern (Macrothelypteris torresiana) is a notable member of the Aspleniaceae family with a broad geographic presence. Its distinctive fronds and robust nature make it a subject of interest across botanical disciplines, from academic research to practical horticulture.

Common Names

Eng: swordfern
En: Swordfern, False Maiden Fern
Zh: 大金星蕨, 普通針毛蕨, 普通针毛蕨, 粗毛金星蕨
Zh-tw: 大金星蕨

Synonyms

• Dryopteris lasiocarpa (Hayata)
• Dryopteris alsophiloides ((Fourn.) C.Chr.)
• Polypodium balansae (Baker)
• Lastrea oligophlebia ((Baker) Copel.)
• Polystichum torresianum (Gaudich.)
• Dryopteris uliginosa ((Kunze) C.Chr.)
• Thelypteris uliginosa ((Kunze) Ching)
• Aspidium leucopis (Fée)
• Polypodium russelianum (Wall.)
• Dryopteris oligophlebia ((Baker) C.Chr.)
• Dryopteris elegans (Koidz.)
• Polypodium tenericaule (Wall. ex Hook.)
• Lastrea cosmopolita (Brade)
• Aspidium mollissimum (Christ)
• Thelypteris uliginosa var. elegans ((Koidz.) K.Iwats.)
• Dryopteris mollissima ((Christ) C.Chr.)
• Lastrea oligophlebia var. elegans ((Koidz.) Nakai)
• Phegopteris oligophlebia ((Baker) Salomon)
• Aspidium uliginosum (Kunze)
• Macrothelypteris oligophlebia ((Baker) Ching)
• Aspidium tenericaule (Thwaites)
• Phegopteris trichodes (J.Sm.)
• Lastrea torresiana ((Gaudich.) T.Moore)
• Phegopteris alsophiloides (E.Fourn.)
• Nephrodium oligophlebium (Baker)
• Polystichum oligophlebium ((Baker) Baker)
• Aspidium oligophlebium ((Baker) Christ)
• Dryopteris tenericaulis ((Wall. ex Hook.) Ching)
• Thelypteris oligophlebia ((Baker) Ching)
• Dryopteris trichodes (Rosenst.)
• Thelypteris torresiana ((Gaudich.) Alston)
• Thelypteris lasiocarpa (Hayata)
• Dryopteris oligophlebia var. lasiocarpa ((Hayata) Nakai)
• Macrothelypteris changshaensis (Ching)
• Macrothelypteris oligophlebia var. changshaensis ((Ching) K.H.Shing)
• Thelypteris oligophlebia var. lasiocarpa ((Hayata) H.Itô)
• Lastrea oligophlebia var. lasiocarpa ((Hayata) H.Itô ex M.Mizush.)
• Nephrodium setigerum var. calvatum (Baker)
• Polypodium trichodes (J.Sm. ex Houlston & T.Moore)
• Macrothelypteris torresiana var. calvata ((Baker) Holttum)
• Macrothelypteris oligophlebia var. elegans ((Koidz.) Ching)
• Hypolepis trichodes (Fée)
• Lastrea tenericaulis ((Wall. ex Hook.) T.Moore)
• Nephrodium tenericaule ((Wall. ex Hook.) Hook.)
• Macrothelypteris setigera ((Blume) Ching)

Distribution

• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Cook Is. (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Fiji (native)
• Hainan (native)
• India (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kermadec Is. (native)
• Korea (native)
• Laos (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Caledonia (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• New Zealand North (native)
• Norfolk Is. (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Society Is. (native)
• Solomon Is. (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Tubuai Is. (native)
• Vanuatu (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Gulf (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Paraguay (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 29, 2021 by joelma menezes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 12, 2020 by Vázquez Leonardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2022 by Lalin Taye Musical (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Apr 13, 2020 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 23, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 13, 2020 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2022 by susanne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2015 by EOL − pedro (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Jul 23, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – N. Zamora (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – N. Zamora (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2015 by EOL − Leon Perrie (cc-by-nc)

Other

Taken Nov 2, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Valverde (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Valverde (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – N. Zamora (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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1019960-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8846035)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Macrothelypteris torresiana (Gaudich.) Ching)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth