Dicranopteris (Noun)
Meaning
Terrestrial ferns of forest margin or open ground; pantropical.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- Dicranopteris erecta is a species of fern in the family Gleicheniaceae, native to tropical Asia and the Pacific Islands.
- In contrast to tree ferns, Dicranopteris has relatively short stipes that rarely reach the canopy, forming dense colonies along the forest margin.
- Dicranopteris species can grow quite large and produce masses of fertile leaves, spreading across the open ground with an umbrella-like shape.
- Along with tree ferns, Dicranopteris dominates the understorey in tropical mountain forests of Madagascar.
- A sterile Dicranopteris fern may appear rather messy with leaf segments drooping, which provides shade and protects young leaves.