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Wall Fern
Lepisorus thunbergianus
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A small evergreen fern that grows epiphytically on tree bark, rocks, stone walls, and under eaves. The fronds are simple and slender, with round sori arranged in two rows on the underside. The leaves curl when dry but unfurl upon rehydration.
Identification Points
- βSimple, slender, linear fronds, 10β20 cm long
- βRound sori arranged in one row on each side of the midrib on the underside
- βEpiphytic and drought-tolerant
Habitat
Tree bark, rocks, stone walls, and under eaves
Season
Year-round (spores: summerβautumn)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Linear
Phylogenetic Positionγ¦γ©γγ·η§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Vascular plants > Polypodiophyta > Polypodiopsida > Polypodiales > Polypodiaceae
Divergence Era
Cretaceous to Paleogene (ca. 70 million years agoβ)
Evolution Notes
Polypodiaceae represents the 'new ferns' that diversified after angiosperms formed forest canopies, with outstanding adaptations for epiphytic life.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification