Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Whisk Fern) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte, Lithophyte |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico, Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua), Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Peru, Nicobar Islands, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Maluku, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Philippines, Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea , Solomon Islands, Australia (New South Wales, Queensland), Southwestern Pacific (Fiji, Samoa, Santa Cruz Islands, Tokelau-Manahiki, Tonga, Vanuatu, Wallis-Futuna Islands), South-Central Pacific (Cook Islands, Society Islands), Caroline Islands, Marianas, Hawaii. |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Presumed Nationally Extinct (NEx)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | An epiphytic fern with a pendant growth habit, creeping rhizomes measuring about 0.5 - 1.5 mm wide. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Foliage reduced to small scale-like leaves. |
| Stems | Green aerial stems branched from the base, flattened and with a distinct midrib, measuring up to 20 - 100 cm long. |
| Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant | Synangia yellow and measuring about 1 - 3 mm wide. |
| Cultivation | It can be planted in hanging basket or pot, with free-draining media, best planted directly onto a fern-bark. |
| Etymology | Psilotum comes from the Greek word psilos, which means smooth and referring to the smooth stems. Species complanatum means flattened out upon the ground. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Hanging Baskets |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Abiotic |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Spore |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Green - Light Green |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31458 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5855 |
| 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. |
