atoll research bulletin no. 392 the flora of - Smithsonian Institution ...

VASCULAR PLANTS OF NAURU
PTERIDOPHYTA (Ferns and Fern Allies)
ASPLENIACEAE
Asplenium nidus L. "bird's-nest fern"
laulu, laukatafa, laukatapa (T)
syns. Neottopteris nidus (L.) Sm. ; N. curtisorus (Christ) Hosok. ; Asplenium
curtisorum Christ; A. phyllitidis D. Don; Neottopteris phyllitidis (D. Don)
J. Sm.
Indigenous? Paleotropical. Rare. Large epiphytic fern with a short creeping
rhizome; fronds, up to 1 m or more long and 15 cm wide, simple, bright green,
elongated, swordlike, with prominent midribs, forming a rosette-like cluster; sori
numerous, linear, borne on distal parts of fronds, reaching nearly to the margin.
Reported by Burgess as an epiphyte on Calophyllum inophyllum in 1935, but seen only as
a ornamental by Thaman, Hassall, and Manner in 1980 and 1981. 2, 5, 6, 7(27813).
DAVALLIACEAE
Nephrolepis biserrata (Sw.) Schott "sword fern"
dakeang, dageang (N); te keang, te keang ni Makin (K); sulufe (T)
syns. Aspidium biserratwn (Sw.); Nephrodiwn biserratum (Sw.) Gaud.; N.
splendens (Willd .) Gaud. ; Aspidium spbndens Willd.
Indigenous. Pantropical. Abundant. Terrestrial tufted fern with short scaly
creeping to erect rhizome; stipes, up to 30 cm or longer, clustered; fronds, up to 2 m or
longer and 30 cm wide, oblong-elliptic in outline, pinnate; pinnae up to 15 cm or longer
and 2 cm wide, margins usually serrate, apex acuminate; sori, large, in a row at a
distance from the margin (submarginal). Found in colonies and dense populations in
unmirted- areaand -in -pits between pinnacles in mined areas; one--of- first--plants to
colonize mined areas; occasional as an ornamental. Leaves used occasionally in garlands.
3(58600), 4(136N), 5(44), 6, 7.