Deeply devoted to the grass, with a rolling green shade of love (Part 2) - The "king of ferns" that lived in the same era as the dinosaurs, a review of the "living fossils" in the plant world

Produced by: Science Popularization China

Author: Sun Jiuqiong (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Producer: China Science Expo

Reviewers: Zhang Xianchun (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Li Zhongyang (Gannan Normal University), Huang Yeqin (Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Diplopterygium chinense

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Everything comes back to life in spring, all kinds of plants begin to sprout, and the curled leaves of ferns are also eager to poke out of the ground, adding a bit of agility to the colorful spring. How about it? After seeing the colorful flowers in spring, let us appreciate the green elves in various poses and see how they roll out their characteristics and beauty.

King of ferns

Alsophila spinulosa belongs to the Cyatheaceae family. As a second-level protected plant, it originated in the Triassic period more than 300 million years ago, more than 150 million years earlier than the appearance of dinosaurs. It is praised as the "king of ferns". The stem of Alsophila spinulosa is upright, hollow, and like a pen holder. The leaves are arranged in a spiral shape at the top of the stem. This family is a rare tree-shaped fern plant that has been discovered so far. It is extremely precious and has been listed as an endangered plant by many countries. It can be called a national treasure and is known as a "living fossil."

The leaves of Alsophila spinulosa are covered with scales and short thorns when they are in fist-shaped curls. This feature remains as the tree grows up and is one of the important characteristics that distinguish Alsophila from other species.

Alsophila spinulosa, the "king of ferns"

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

The "big golden retriever" that can't help but get started

Cibotium barometz belongs to the Cibotiaceae family and is a national second-class protected plant. It is a large tree-like terrestrial fern, about 1 to 3 meters tall, with a flat and thick rhizome. The part exposed to the ground is densely covered with long golden hairs, resembling a lying golden dog head, so it is named after it. It has high ornamental value and important medicinal value.

When the leaves of the golden dog fern are curled into fists, they are covered with golden fluff, which are shiny and soft, just like the "golden dog" of Mr. Zhang's neighbor. It is definitely worth touching.

Cibotium barometz

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun and Li Cehong)

One is like summer, the other is like winter

Microlepia hookeriana

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang and Zhang Xianchun)

Neither member of the genus Microlepia C. Presl in the Dennstaedtiaceae family has true scales, but the indumentum of these two species of the same genus is very contrasting, with hookeriana having typical Dennstaedtiaceae multicellular bristles, while platyphylla has glabrous leaves, a contrast that is most obvious when the leaves are fist-curled.

Microlepia platyphylla

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang and Zhang Xianchun)

The fern that likes to cling to people

Acystopteris japonica belongs to the Cystopteridaceae family. Both young and mature leaves have colorless segmented long hairs and a few scales. They sparkle under the light, which fully explains the origin of the name "Acystopteris japonica". In addition, when you touch these hairs, you will find that they are very sticky. This characteristic makes Acystopteris japonica a very easy-to-identify fern.

Acystopteris japonica

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang and Zhang Xianchun)

Willing to be a pioneer and rush forward

**Dicranopteris Bernh. belongs to the Gleicheniaceae family. It often grows in clumps in open areas. It is a symbol of arid and barren environments and an important pioneer plant. **It not only has dormant buds (fist-curled leaves) at the top of the main axis, but also at the top of other side axes. In other words, its leaves are repeated pseudo-binary branches. In spring, the dormant buds (fist-curled leaves) will grow new axes, which is the biggest feature of the appearance of Dicranopteris. Folks often weave the petioles or side axes of Dicranopteris Bernh. into beautiful fruit baskets or flower baskets.

Dicranopteris linearis

Dormant buds of Dicranopteris linearis

Dormant buds of Dicranopteris ampla

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Dicranopteris gigantea

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Dicranopteris ampla

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang)

"Li Bai" under the forest, I think it's the Milky Way falling from the sky

Diplopterygium (Diels) Nakai and Dicranopteris Bernh. have a common feature, that is, there are dormant buds at the top of the leaf main axis, but the dormant buds of Diplopterygium (fist-curled leaves) are often covered with more reddish-brown or dark brown scales with eyelashes on the edges; while Dicranopteris has fewer scales or is smooth and scale-free, and often grows in patches in open areas or under shady and moist forests.

The genus Li Bai is tall and majestic, shaped like a waterfall. Just like its name, it is majestic and has the temperament of the poet Li Bai. However, it also has a soft heart and likes to be with a beautiful woman. It is often seen accompanying plants such as moss.

Diplopterygium chinense

Diplopterygium blotianum

Diplopterygium glaucum

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Diplopterygium giganteum

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Plant it! Soil purifier that efficiently removes arsenic

Centipedegrass (Pteris vittata) is a terrestrial fern in the Pteridaceae family. It is covered with long hairs in its fist-shaped leaves, but as the leaves unfold, this feature gradually degenerates and becomes covered with fine hairs on both sides of the leaves.

Research has shown that the arsenic accumulation capacity of centipede grass is 200,000 times that of ordinary plants, making it a super-accumulator that can be used for phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated soil. By planting and harvesting centipede grass, slightly contaminated farmland can be restored to the level allowed by the national soil environmental quality standards within a few years.

Centipede Grass Pteris vittata

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

The pink fern (Pityrogramma calomelanos) belongs to the Pteridaceae family. Its English name is silver tattoo fern, which means silver tattoo fern. It is surrounded by silvery white powder when its leaves are curled up, and this feature becomes more obvious when it grows up.

Pressing a freshly picked fern against your skin will leave a rubbing of its fresh, unique, and exquisite pinnate frond pattern on your skin. This white "tattoo" is actually a white powder secreted from the back of the fern, which makes the back of the fern appear silvery white.

Pityrogramma calomelanos

(Photos 1 and 2: Photo by Zhang Xianchun)

(Photo 3 source: Andy's Plant World)

Don't come over here, I'll punch you

Asplenium wrightii belongs to the Aspleniaceae family. It has long leaves and many lateral pinnae. During one photo shoot, the author saw a pair of pinnae at the base of a fist-curled leaf that had partially unfolded, resembling a pair of fists. Together with the fist-curled part at the top that had not yet unfolded, the whole thing resembled a small boxer. This photo is one of my favorites among all the photos of fist-curled leaves I have taken so far.

Asplenium wrightii

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang and Zhang Xianchun)

Looks like a tree, but I'm a fern

Macrothelypteris ornata belongs to the family Thelypteridaceae. The plant is 3 to 4 meters tall and looks like a tree. When the leaves are curled, they are densely covered with thick light brown scales. After they are stretched, the scales gradually fall off, leaving only tumor-like or half-moon-shaped traces. However, the underside of each rachis is still sparsely covered with linear lanceolate scales. This feature is one of the important characteristics for identifying this species. At present, Macrothelypteris ornata is only distributed in western Yunnan and southeastern Tibet in my country. It is a relatively rare species.

Macrothelypteris ornata

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Emerging into a butterfly, Purple fern

Pseudophegopteris aurita belongs to the Thelypteridaceae family. When the leaves are curled, the petioles are purple-red, densely covered with long soft hairs and reddish-brown scales, and have the typical non-segmented needle-like hairs of the Thelypteridaceae family. The young leaves are yellow-green, and the petioles are purple-red when mature. The pinnae are ear-shaped and opposite, like a butterfly, hence the name Pseudophegopteris aurita.

Pseudophegopteris aurita

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang and Zhang Xianchun)

The ferns in the swamp are lovely

Swamp fern (Thelypteris palustris) belongs to the Thelypteridaceae family. It is commonly found in swamps or meadows in northern temperate zones. Its new petioles are reddish brown, and its young leaves curl up into a ball, which is very lively and cute.

The height of swamp fern plants is generally no more than 30 cm, with tender green color and elegant shape, and they have high ornamental value. The "fern" is the most beautiful woman in the swamp.

Swamp Fern Thelypteris palustris

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Guarding the plateau, I am the darkest, I am the black-stalked fern

Black-stalked wallichianum (Athyrium wallichianum) belongs to the Athyriaceae family. It has fist-curled leaves densely covered with brown or dark brown scales. The leaves grow in clusters and look like flocks of roosters from a distance. The plant is 40 to 60 cm tall. It is one of the representative species of the high-altitude wallichianum genus and generally grows in mountain forest crevices, alpine shrub meadows and fixed gravel beaches at an altitude of 3500 to 4800 meters.

Athyrium wallichianum

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Athyrium wallichianum

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Fern is not bracken

Diplazium esculentum, also known as edible double-capped fern, is a small to medium-sized fern belonging to the genus Diplazium Sw. of the family Athyriaceae. Diplazium esculentum and bracken belong to different families. Pteridium aquilinum subsp. japonicum belongs to the genus Pteris L. of the family Pteridaceae. When the leaves are curled, there are very sparse linear scales and fine hairs in a single row of cells. Diplazium esculentum is widely distributed in my country. It can be found in wetlands with water and coastal areas.

Diplazium esculentum

(Photo credit: Photo by Zhang Xianchun, illustration by Li Congying)

It's obviously a fern, but it smells like cucumber

Matteuccia struthiopteris, also known as "cucumber fragrance", belongs to the family Onocleaceae. It is a common flavor wild vegetable in Heilongjiang Province. It is named because its curled leaves emit a cucumber-like fragrance. The curled leaves of Matteuccia struthiopteris are also rich in various vitamins. They can be fried or used as stuffing. They are the best wild vegetables in the mountains. However, if you want to taste wild vegetables in spring, it is recommended to buy them in regular markets. Don't pick wild vegetables on the roadside!

The pod fern is also a common foliage plant. In spring, the curled leaves will slowly unfold, and the leaves will turn emerald green, graceful and pleasing to the eye, and are loved by people.

Pod fern Matteuccia struthiopteris

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

I am the king of "involution"

Blechnum orientale belongs to the Blechnaceae family. When the leaves are curled up, several pairs of shortened pinnae unfold and form a "big roll inside a small roll" with the unexpanded pinnae on the upper part. It grows from bright red young leaves into a fern with the charm of a cycad little by little in a fist-like manner, and has extremely high ornamental value.

Blechnum orientale

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang, Zhang Xianchun)

Qiongzhong Rib, "Fern" for Beauty

Hainan rib fern (Ctenitis decurrentipinnata) belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family. When its leaves are curled, they are densely covered with lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate brown scales. The shape of the scales and the size of the sieve holes are one of the characteristics that distinguish it from other species. The plant is tall and beautiful in shape, suitable for potted plants or ground cover plants, and the pinnae can also be used for fresh cut flowers. Because it likes warmth, it is only distributed in the dense forests in the humid valleys of Hainan in my country.

Ctenitis decurrentipinnata

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Unity is strength

Dryopteris crassirhizoma also belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family. Its fist-curled leaves grow in clusters, just like little kids huddled together, which is very cute. Its petioles and rhizomes are densely covered with light brown to chestnut brown membranous scales. The scales on the leaf axis are obviously twisted and curled, and the leaves are stretched to form a basket-like shape, which is very ornamental.

Dryopteris crassirhizoma

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Scales are like armor, protecting the fern until death

Dryopteris championii also belongs to the Dryopteridaceae family. When the leaves are curled, they are densely covered with scales. When mature, the petioles and rachises are densely covered with brown scales, which is also one of the important characteristics to distinguish other species. The rhizome of Dryopteris championii can be used as medicine. The leaves of mature plants are leathery and stiff, and feel prickly to the touch. They are bright and colorful under the sun, and have high ornamental value.

Dryopteris championii

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang)

Dryopteris championii

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

A cute red child, a long green ribbon when grown up

Lepisorus loriformis belongs to the Polypodiaceae family. When the leaves are curled, they are bright red, very lively and cute. When they grow up, this trait is reflected in the red midrib of the leaves, but this feature is not enough for accurate identification. It is also necessary to observe the scales of the rhizome and the shape of the septa covering the spore sacs. Its leaves grow in clusters, and the leaves are long and linear. They are often found epiphytic on tree trunks or rocks.

Lepisorus eilophyllus (Time)

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Lepisorus eilophyllus (mature plant)

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

We are a family, it's hard to tell you from me

Lepisorus thunbergianus also belongs to the Polypodiaceae family. It has a small number of coarse-mesh scales when its young leaves are curled, which is also one of the important characteristics for identifying the genus Lepisorus (J. Sm.) Ching. Its leaves are leathery, long and narrow, and have strong adaptability. The sporangium is large and eye-catching, and has a strong ornamental value. In the wild, it often grows on tree trunks or stones. It is not only suitable for embellishing rockery bonsai or small potted plants, but also suitable for mixed planting with other plants, which is very interesting.

Lepisolus thunbergianus

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang (left), Zhang Xianchun (right))

Cobra: Is someone trying to take advantage of my popularity?

Neolepisorus ovatus is still a member of the Polypodiaceae family. Its broad, single, fist-shaped leaves resemble a cobra in attack, which is quite interesting. When grown up, its leaves are various in shape, including lanceolate, oblong-elliptical, ovate-lanceolate, and a few are halberd-shaped.

Shield fern Neolepisorus ovatus

(Photo credit: Li Zhongyang (left), Zhang Xianchun (right))

A sincere heart and a deep love

Don’t they look like pairs of lovers snuggling together, back to back, expressing their affection for each other and their deep love for each other’s “fern hearts”!

The green curled leaves are Dicranopteris austrosinensis (new species)

The brown curled leaves are Dicranopteris pedata

(Photo credit: Yan Yuehong)

Look, they look like they are dancing, they are really beautiful ballet goddesses!

Pteridium aquilinum subsp. wightianum

Botrychium lanuginosum

(Photo credit: Zhang Xianchun)

Conclusion

After seeing these fairy-like ferns, are you also eager to go to the mountains to see their beauty? But liking is not possession. When you appreciate ferns in the wild, please put away your selfish desire to pick them. You should know that most ferns like dark and extremely humid environments. Wild plants that have not been domesticated are extremely difficult to survive in our home environment. So the way to love them should be to let them grow freely and let the green continue to be the main theme of nature.

The Fern Branch of the China Flower Association used the fist-shaped leaves as inspiration for its creation at the Fern Exhibition Garden of the 10th Flower Expo.

It symbolizes the rise of fern industry in our country.

(Photo source: Fu Shizhong)

Editor: Li Qinyi Zhang Sinuo

References:

【1】 Zhang Xianchun. Chinese Lycopodiella and Pteridophytes. 2012. Beijing: Peking University Press.

【2】Zhang Xianchun and Sun Jiuqiong. Terms and names of lycopods and ferns. 2015. Beijing: China Forestry Publishing House.

【3】Guo Chengmeng and Huang Kunmou. Observation of the Wildness of Nature: Ferns. 2015. Fujian: Fujian Science and Technology Press.

【4】YAN HL, GAO YW, WU LL, et al. Potential use of the Pteris vittata arsenic hyperaccumulation-regulation network for phytoremediation [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2019, 368: 386-96

(Note: Latin text should be italicized.)