Microsorum scolopendria, synonym Phymatosorus scolopendria,[1] commonly called monarch fern, musk fern, maile-scented fern, breadfruit fern, or wart fern is a species of fern[2][3] within the family Polypodiaceae. This fern grows in the wild in the Western Pacific rim from Australia to New Caledonia to Fiji and throughout the South Pacific to French Polynesia.
| Microsorum scolopendria | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Suborder: | Polypodiineae |
| Family: | Polypodiaceae |
| Genus: | Microsorum |
| Species: | M. scolopendria
|
| Binomial name | |
| Microsorum scolopendria (Burm.f.) Copel.[1]
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| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
It was introduced in Hawaii in the late 1910s and has subsequently naturalized rapidly. It is found on all main islands.[4] Its Hawaiian name lauaʻe[5] is thought to have originally referred to the native fern Microsorum spectrum.[6]
The scientific name M. scolopendria has been misapplied to Microsorum grossum (and their synonyms in Phymatosorus).[7]
Uses edit
When crushed, the fern issues a scent similar to maile.[6] Sometimes, pieces of the fern are interlaced in leis made of strung-up keys (individual drupes) of the pandanus fruit.[5][6] It is also one of the plants used for scenting kapa fabric.[8][9]
Folklore edit
Expanses of the fern famously grows in Makana on Kauaʻi, and is commemorated in song.[10][9]
Media edit
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Microsorum scolopendria filmed at night.
References edit
- Citations
- ^ a b c Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (January 2020). "Phymatosorus scolopendria". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Version 8.20. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- ^ "Maile-Scented Fern". Na mea kanu o Kamehameha. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "Microsorum scolopendria". National Tropical Botanical Garden. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Palmer, Daniel D. (2003). Hawaiʻi's ferns and fern allies. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press. ISBN 9780824833473.
- ^ a b Pukui, Mary Kawena; Elbert, Samuel H. (1986). "lauaʻe, lauwaʻe". Hawaiian Dictionary. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 194. ISBN 9780824807030.
Mary Kawena Pukui; Samuel Hoyt Elbert (2003). "lookup of Lauaʻe". in Hawaiian Dictionary. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii Press. - ^ a b c Abbott 1992, pp. 127, 145.
- ^ "Phymatosorus grossus – Musk Fern". Hawaiian Plants and Tropical Flowers. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Abbott 1992, p. 58.
- ^ a b "laua'e". Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database. Bishop Museum.
- ^ Pukui 1983, pp. 166, 210.
- Bibliography
- Pukui, Mary Kawena (1983). He Mau Kaʻao Hawaii: Folktales of Hawaiʻi. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press. ISBN 9780910240918.
- Abbott, Isabella Aiona (1992). Lā'au Hawai'i : traditional Hawaiian uses of plants. Bishop Museum Press. ISBN 0-93089-762-5.
External links edit
- Gustafson, Robert, 1939- Hawaiian plant life : vegetation and flora Honolulu : University of Hawaiʻi Press, 2014. ISBN 9780824837105
- Valier, Kathy, 1953- Ferns of Hawai`i Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press, 1995 ISBN 0824816404
- http://digicoll.manoa.hawaii.edu/hawaiiflowers/Pages/viewtext.php?s=browse&tid=252 Plants for Hawaiian lei: Laua'e