Sunday 19 May
Fern (Xiphopteris ascensionensis)
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Find out here.Fern fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
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Fern description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Polypodiophyta |
| Class | Filicopsida |
| Order | Polypodiales |
| Family | Grammitidaceae |
| Genus | Xiphopteris (1) |
This small fern often grows as an epiphyte on bamboo trees (2). The fronds are short and bear small green leaflets that are tightly packed on the midrib of the frond (3).
- Synonyms
- Polypodium ascensionense, Xiphopteris ascensionense.
- Endemic
- A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
- Epiphyte
- A plant that uses another plant, typically a tree, for its physical support, but which does not draw nourishment from it.
- Prothallus
- A small, gamete-producing structure that germinates from certain spores.
- Spores
- Microscopic particles involved in both dispersal and reproduction. They comprise a single or group of unspecialised cells and do not contain an embryo, as do seeds.
-
IUCN Red List (August, 2012)
http://www.iucnredlist.org/ - Gray, A. (2003) Red List Assessment Form. Ascension Conservation.
- Pers. obs. from image.
- Ashmole, P. & Ashmole, M. (2000) St. Helena and Ascension Island: a natural history. Anthony Nelson, England.
-
Australian National Herbarium (September, 2003)
http://www.anbg.gov.au/projects/fern/structure.html - view the contents of, and Material on, the website;
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Related species
Fern biology
Ferns are ‘primitive’ plants that spread by releasing spores rather than by producing flowers and fruits. The distinctive frond stage of the fern lifecycle is asexual; spores are released from the fronds, which then germinate into minuscule heart-shaped structures known as ‘prothalli’. It is here that the sexual stage of the lifecycle occurs; male and female organs on the prothallus produce sperm and eggs respectively. If the female eggs are fertilised successfully, a new fern plant will begin to grow and the cycle starts again (5).
TopFern range
Endemic to Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Xiphopteris ascensionensis is found on the more exposed side of the main mountain, known as Green Mountain (2).
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Species with a similar range
Fern habitat
This fern grows in association with mosses, often with Campylopus smaragdinus and Calymperes ascensionis (4). It is found either on moss-covered rocks or on bamboo trees (2), in the mist zone of the upper mountain (4).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Fern status
Xiphopteris ascensionensis is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Fern threats
Although the population of Xiphopteris ascensionensis appears to be relatively stable at present it may face long-term threats from the spread of introduced moss species such as Alpinia zerumbet, with which it appears unable to grow (2).
TopFern conservation
The population of Xiphopteris ascensionensis is being monitored by Ascension Conservation (2).
TopAuthentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Glossary
References
More »Related species
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Image credit
Xiphopteris ascensionensis close up
© Martin Hamilton / Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 3AB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 208 332 5000
Fax: +44 (0) 208 332 5197
info@kew.org
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk
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