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Gleichenia Fern
Gleichenia japonica
ウラジロ
A fern widely native to mountain and forest edges on the Pacific side of Japan. Named 'Urajiro' (white underside) for its white leaf undersurfaces. It has been a beloved plant since ancient times as an essential auspicious decoration for New Year shimenawa and kagami-mochi.
Identification Points
- ✓Leaf undersurfaces are white (covered with powdery waxy coating)
- ✓Fronds dichotomously branched, spreading into large forms
- ✓Buds are coiled and wrapped in white hairs
Habitat
Forest edges and grasslands of mountains and hills (somewhat dry sites)
Season
Year-round (evergreen)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Habitat
Mountain
Phylogenetic Positionウラジロ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Vascular plants > Polypodiophyta > Polypodiopsida > Gleicheniales > Dipteridaceae
Divergence Era
Triassic to Jurassic (approx. 200 million years ago onward)
Evolution Notes
Gleicheniaceae (in the broad Gleicheniales) retains the classical fern characteristic of dichotomous leaf branching. The white leaf underside is an adaptation for light reflection and moisture retention via cuticular wax.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification