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PTERIDOPHYTES

Introduction
 

Pteridophytes are non-seed vascular plants with independent gametophytes and motile sperm. They are usually classified into 2 major groups viz: ferns and fern allies.

Ferns and fern allies are not as important economically as seed plants but have considerable importance. Some are used for food, beverages, biological fertilizer and medicine. Most pteridophytes contribute to erosion control (e.g: Dicranopteris species) and are also widely used for horticultural purpose and landscaping.

  
Some species of pteridophytes used as ornamental plants
Adiantum peruvianum
 

There is a big population of pteridophytes in Kebun Cina Forest Reserve but the diversity is considered low. They usually can be seen growing or creeping on the ground, hanging from the branches and tree trunks or sticking to the substrates in forest shade and in open area.

 
Paku Resam ( Dicranopteris curranii ): the most abundant species of pteridophyte in Kebun Cina Forest Reserve
Daun Kelapa Tupai (Drynaria quercifolia) : attached to the stump in forest shade
 

Ferns
 

The word ‘fern' comes from the old English word “ fearn”, which means feather, but ferns do not always have feathery fronds.

There are many with simple fronds, and unless examined closely, it is easy to confuse them with flowering plants. Fern or true fern is classified in the division Pterophyta.

    
A common Bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) also known as Paku langsuyer, found in Kebun Cina Forest Reserve
 
Lygodium longifolium : common species with thin leaflets and the upper surface of the rachis-branches covered with short hairs.
 
Mature Lygodium microphyllum twining around small tree branches along the jogging track and in open areas.
 
The centipede fern (Blechnum orientale), known as Paku Ikan in Malay. A common fern, widely distributed in open sunny area in the Kebun Cina Forest Reserve
The tropical bracken
(Pteridium caudatum)
 
Ribu-Ribu Gajah ( Lygodium flexuosum ) found in fairly open and lightly shaded area. Creeping on small tree trunk and bushes in Kebun Cina Forest Reserve. The sterile fronds lower down are much broader and more palmately lobed compared to the L. microphyllum .
 
 
Belvisia revoluta : a common epiphyte in fairly exposed positions, surprisingly seen in the lowland forest because it usually occurs in montane forests (above 900m)
 
The Paku Padang (Pteris ensiformis)
Paku Miding ( Stenochlaena palustris ) which is edible and sometimes used for medicinal purpose.
 
In Kebun Cina Forest Reserve we can see on big dipterocarp trees, a group of ‘Semun Bidadari' ( Platycerium coronarium ) and Vittaria ensiformis hanging from the branches and tree trunk.
 

Fern allies
 

 

Fern allies are closely related to true ferns but at the same time have distinctively different characteristics. Fern allies do not posses distinct fronds but instead have small leaves known as microphylls. They are classified into three divisions: Lycophyta (Club Moss), Psilophyta (Whisk Ferns) and Sphenophyta (Horsetails).

In Kebun Cina Forest Reserve, Lycopodiella cernua (Club Moss) is the only fern ally species observed so far.

(Picture at right) Lycopodiella cernua seen creeping on the ground at the upper hill of Kebun Cina Forest Reserve in open and shady area.

 

 

 

The information provided above is based on the poster(s) displayed at Kebun Cina Gallery.

Click the following link(s) to view the poster(s).

Fern & Fern allies

 
 
     
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