Status:
valid
Authors:
(Filg., Morrone & Zuloaga) Morrone & Zuloaga
Source:
wcs
Year:
2009
Citation Micro:
Darwiniana 47: 231 (2009)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000917762
Common Names
- Keratochlaena rigidifolia
- Rigid-leaved Keratochlaena
- Rigid-leaved Fern
Description
Keratochlaena rigidifolia (also called 'Rigid Leaf Fern', among many other common names) is a species of fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is an epiphytic fern, with a creeping rhizome and fronds that are pinnate-pinnatifid. It is native to tropical Africa, where it grows in moist forests and along streams.
Uses & Benefits
Keratochlaena rigidifolia is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a groundcover in landscaping. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Keratochlaena rigidifolia is white to yellowish-green in color, and has a tubular shape with a five-lobed corolla. The seed is a small, dark brown, oblong nutlet. The seedlings have a single cotyledon and a pair of opposite, simple leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Keratochlaena rigidifolia is a perennial herb native to Australia. It can be propagated from seed or by division. Seeds should be sown in a moist, well-draining medium and kept at a temperature of around 18-20°C. Once germinated, the seedlings should be transplanted into individual pots and grown in a sunny position. Division can be done in spring or autumn, with the clumps being divided into smaller sections and replanted in a moist, well-draining medium.
Where to Find Keratochlaena rigidifolia
Keratochlaena rigidifolia is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. It can be found in the wetlands and marshes of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.
Species in the Keratochlaena genus
Species in the Poaceae family
Achnatherum pekinense,
Achnatherum pubicalyx,
Achnatherum sibiricum,
Achnatherum turcomanicum,
Achnatherum brandisii,
Achnatherum bromoides,
Achnatherum calamagrostis,
Achnatherum confusum,
Achnatherum inebrians,
Achnatherum jacquemontii,
Achnatherum virescens,
Achnatherum paradoxum,
Achnatherum nakaii,
Achnatherum pelliotii,
Achnatherum haussknechtii,
Achnatherum mandavillei,
Achnatherum pilosum,
Achnatherum parviflorum,
Achnatherum staintonii,
Aciachne acicularis,
Aciachne flagellifera,
Aciachne pulvinata,
Acidosasa breviclavata,
Acidosasa brilletii,
Acidosasa chinensis,
Acidosasa edulis,
Acidosasa glauca,
Acidosasa guangxiensis,
Acidosasa lingchuanensis,
Acidosasa nanunica,
Acidosasa notata,
Acidosasa purpurea,
Acidosasa venusta,
Acidosasa carinata,
Acostia gracilis,
Acrachne henrardiana,
Acrachne perrieri,
Acrachne racemosa,
Acritochaete volkensii,
Acroceras amplectens,
Acroceras attenuatum,
Acroceras boivinii,
Acroceras bosseri,
Acroceras calcicola,
Acroceras chaseae,
Acroceras diffusum,
Acroceras elegans,
Acroceras excavatum,
Acroceras fluminense,
Acroceras gabunense,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77103498-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].