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Holly Fern
Cyrtomium falcatum
γͺγγ€γγ½γγ
An evergreen fern growing on rocky shores and stone walls near the coast. Distinguished by its glossy pinnae, it is also used as Christmas decoration in Western countries. Dryopteridaceae is one of the most species-rich fern families in Japan.
Identification Points
- βPinnae are falcate (sickle-shaped) and glossy with serrate margins
- βSori are scattered across the entire pinna surface
- βEvergreen, forming colonies on coastal rocks and stone walls
Habitat
Coastal rocky shores, stone walls, and cliffs
Season
Year-round (spores: summerβautumn)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Compound
Venation
Pinnate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Growth form
Herb
Habitat
Coastal
Phylogenetic Positionγͺγ·γη§ β
Phylogenetic Position
Vascular plants > Polypodiophyta > Polypodiopsida > Polypodiales > Dryopteridaceae
Divergence Era
Cretaceous to Paleogene (ca. 80 million years agoβ)
Evolution Notes
Dryopteridaceae is a relatively recent fern family that diverged in the late Cretaceous, diversely adapted to temperate forest floor environments.
View on evolution timeline βSources & References
AI-generated, needs verification