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Pteris vittata
| Family Name: | Pteridaceae |
| Synonyms: | Pteris costata, Pteris diversifolia, Pteris ensifolia |
| Common Name: | Chinese Brake Fern, Brake Fern, Chinese Ladder Fern, 蜈蚣草 |
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Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Ferns & Allies (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Fern) |
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Uncertain origin |
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Low-growing fern that forms small clumps, rhizome short and scaly. |
| Foliage | Dark green fronds are pinnate, with pairs of pinnae (the small leaflet-like structure) lining a single axis. The fronds are odd pinnate, with the terminal pinna longer than the adjacent pinna. Stipes measuring about 20 cm long, fern blade measuring about 30 - 50 cm long. |
| Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant | Sporangia which produce the spores line both edges of each pinna. The sporangia are red with yellow spores. |
| Habitat | In the wild, it is found in the lowland tropics in open areas. In urban settings, it often grows in drains or along old walls. |
| Etymology | Genus Pteris is from the Greek word "pteruc" which is the Greek name of a fern. Species vittata refers to the fern character of being banded longitudinally. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | [Others]: It is able to accumulate arsenic in soil and store it in the fronds at a 100 times higher concentration. Research is being conducted to explore its potential in phytoremediation, the use of plants to clean polluted environments. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Moist Soils |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Propagation Method | Spore |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
References
| References | Yong J, Tan PY, Nor Hafiz Hassan, Tan SN. 2010. A Selection of Plants for Greening of Waterways and Waterbodies in the Tropics. Singapore: Chung Printing . 480 pp. |
Image Repository
| Images |
Others
| Master ID | 273 |
| Species ID | 1569 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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