Microsorum scolopendria

Microsorum scolopendria, synonym Phymatosorus scolopendria,[1] commonly called monarch fern, musk fern, maile-scented fern, breadfruit fern, or wart fern is a species of fern[2][3] within the family Polypodiaceae. This fern grows in the wild in the Western Pacific rim from Australia to New Caledonia to Fiji and throughout the South Pacific to French Polynesia.

Microsorum scolopendria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Polypodiineae
Family: Polypodiaceae
Genus: Microsorum
Species:
M. scolopendria
Binomial name
Microsorum scolopendria
(Burm.f.) Copel.[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Chrysopteris longipes Link
  • Chrysopteris peltidea (Link) Link
  • Chrysopteris phymatodes (L.) Link
  • Chrysopteris terminalis (Spreng.ex Link) Link
  • Drynaria longipes (Link) J.Sm.
  • Drynaria phymatodes (L.) Fée
  • Drynaria vulgaris (C.Presl) J.Sm.
  • Microsorum alternifolium (Willd.) Copel.
  • Phymatodes banerjiana S.Pal & N.Pal
  • Phymatodes longipes (Link) J.Sm.
  • Phymatodes peltidea (Link) J.Sm.
  • Phymatodes phymatodes (L.) Maxon
  • Phymatodes scolopendria (Burm.fil.) Ching
  • Phymatodes terminalis (Spreng.ex Link) J.Sm.
  • Phymatodes vulgaris C.Presl
  • Phymatosorus banerjianus (S.Pal & N.Pal) Pic.Serm.
  • Phymatosorus scolopendria (Burm.f.) Pic.Serm.
  • Pleopeltis phymatodes (L.) Bedd.
  • Pleopeltis phymatodes (L.) Moore
  • Pleopeltis schneideri Alderw.
  • Polypodium alternifolium (Willd.) Link
  • Polypodium alternifolium Willd.
  • Polypodium fuentesii Hicken
  • Polypodium immersum Vahl
  • Polypodium longipes Link ex Kunze
  • Polypodium madagascariense Desv.
  • Polypodium peltideum Link
  • Polypodium phymatodes L.
  • Polypodium phymatodes var. partitum Blume
  • Polypodium scolopendria Burm.f.
  • Polypodium scutifrons Bojer
  • Polypodium terminale Spreng. ex Link
  • Pteris lobata Roxb.
  • Tectaria phymatodes (L.) Cav.

It was introduced in Hawaii in the late 1910s and has subsequently naturalized rapidly. It is found on all main islands.[4] Its Hawaiian name lauaʻe[5] is thought to have originally referred to the native fern Microsorum spectrum.[6]

The scientific name M. scolopendria has been misapplied to Microsorum grossum (and their synonyms in Phymatosorus).[7]

Uses

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When crushed, the fern issues a scent similar to maile.[6] Sometimes, pieces of the fern are interlaced in leis made of strung-up keys (individual drupes) of the pandanus fruit.[5][6] It is also one of the plants used for scenting kapa fabric.[8][9]

Folklore

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Expanses of the fern famously grows in Makana on Kauaʻi, and is commemorated in song.[10][9]

Media

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References

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Citations
  1. ^ a b c Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (January 2020). "Phymatosorus scolopendria". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Version 8.20. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
  2. ^ "Maile-Scented Fern". Na mea kanu o Kamehameha. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Microsorum scolopendria". National Tropical Botanical Garden. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  4. ^ Palmer, Daniel D. (2003). Hawaiʻi's ferns and fern allies. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press. ISBN 9780824833473.
  5. ^ a b Pukui, Mary Kawena; Elbert, Samuel H. (1986). "lauaʻe, lauwaʻe". Hawaiian Dictionary. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 194. ISBN 9780824807030.
    Mary Kawena Pukui; Samuel Hoyt Elbert (2003). "lookup of Lauaʻe". in Hawaiian Dictionary. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii Press.
  6. ^ a b c Abbott 1992, pp. 127, 145.
  7. ^ "Phymatosorus grossus – Musk Fern". Hawaiian Plants and Tropical Flowers. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
  8. ^ Abbott 1992, p. 58.
  9. ^ a b "laua'e". Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database. Bishop Museum.
  10. ^ Pukui 1983, pp. 166, 210.
Bibliography
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