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Lecanopteris carnosa

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Plant found on the shore of Lake Mooat,
northern Sulawesi, Indonesia.


My humble plant.


Large clusters are found high up on the branches on various trees.


The leaves are small on young plants.


The old rhizomes die, but the plant continues its growth.


Huge clusters are formed.

Author: Carl Ludwig von Blume, 1828
Family:  POLYPODIACEAE
Origin:  Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines
Soil:  No; Epiphytic
Water:  Medium - Maximum
Sun:  Minimum - Medium
Thickness:  3-4 Centimetres, Clusters 50 Centimetres
Height:  20 Centimetres
Flower:  No, Spores
Propagate:  Spores/Rhizomes
Names:  Ant Fern
Synonyms:  Onychium carnosum Reinw. 1828.
Pleopeltis carnosa
, Alderw. 1909.
Lecanopteris pumila
Carl Ludwig von Blume, 1829.
Polypodium carnosum,
Christ.
Polypodium lecanopteris,
Mett.
Polypodium patelliferum,
Burck.
Onychium carnosum,
Reinw.

This member of the Polypodiaceae family was given this name by Carl Ludwig von Blume in 1828. It is found in Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, growing on the branches of trees with some to lots of water and little to some sun. The rhizomes can grow from three to four centimetres in diameter, forming clusters of 50 centimetres. The leaves up to 25 centimetres long.

The genera name after some Lecan, but I fail to figure which one, or perhaps Greek lekane; 'bowl', and Latin pteris; 'fern'. The genera name Lecanopteris was introduced by Caspar Georg Reinwardt published in Flora 8, 1825. The species name from Latin carne; 'flesh'.


It is a ant fern, and I had no doubt when I climbed the trees they was in!


The rhizomes are full of canals, forming the perfect ant nest.


But it all start with a tiny dot.


Will experience quite some draught through half a year.