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Dicranopteris curranii Copel.

Family Name:	Gleicheniaceae
Synonyms:	Dicranopteris gigantea Ching, Dicranopteris lessonii (A.Rich.) Ching, Gleichenia dichotoma var. malayana Christ, Gleichenia venosa (Copel.) Holttum, Sticherus venosus Copel.

Dicranopteris curranii is a terrestrial fern native to Singapore. It is large, strongly upright, fast growing and can quickly forming large dense bushes known as thickets in exposed sites. The foliage branch out several times to form deeply lobed pinnatifid leaflets with greyish blue underside. The sori are round on either sides of the midrib.

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Little Water

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Ferns and Lycophytes

Herbaceous Plant

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Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
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Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Fern)
Plant Growth Form	Herbaceous Plant

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Yunan to Malesia, Fiji Islands
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Secondary Rainforest, Primary Rainforest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a large, upright fern with creeping rhizomes which forms thickets, large dense bushes easily.
Foliage	The foliage branches out several times equally. The ultimate branch measures about 40 cm long, 12 cm wide, bears deeply lobed, pinnatifid leaflets. It has a greyish-blue underside, pinkish hairs may be found on the veins.
Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant	The sori are round, produced on either sides of the midrib in a single line.

Others - Plant Morphology	The rhizomes are long-creeping, 3 - 5 mm in diameter, covered in dark brown stiff hairs.
Habitat	Occurs in thickets from sea level up to 1500m. <1,2>
Similar	Dicranopteris curranii and Dicranopteris linearisshow similarities. D. curranii is significantly larger than D. linearis in terms of its size and individual fronds. The former is strongly erect unlike D. linearis which tend to be limp.
Cultivation	It can be propagated through rhizomes and spores

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Little Water, Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Fast to Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Easy to Grow, Fertile Loamy Soils, Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method	Storage Organ (Rhizome), Spore

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green, Green - Bluish Green
Foliar Type	Compound (Even-Pinnate)

Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Linear, Oblong)
Foliar Margin	Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acuminate, Retuse, Rounded
Foliar Base	Attenuate

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Herbaceous
Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s)	Underground (Rhizome)

References

References	<1> Holttum, R.E. (1959). Dicranopteris. In: Holttum, R.E. (ed.) Glecheniaceae. Flora Malesiana, ser. 2, Pteridophyta, vol. 1, pt. 1, pp. 31-32. Leiden: Rijksherbarium. <2> Tagawa, M. & Iwatsuki, K. (1979). Flora of Thailand, vol. 3(1), pp. 53-54. Bangkok: The Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

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Master ID	34282
Species ID	8695
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.

Species record last updated on: 31 March 2023.