Goniopteris (Noun)
Meaning
Terrestrial ferns of Florida and West Indies to Central and South America.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The genus Goniopteris is a group of terrestrial ferns that include species commonly referred to as chain ferns or ladder ferns, found in Florida and the West Indies to Central and South America.
- Goniopteris ferns often grow on well-drained slopes and ledges in tropical regions from southern Florida to Ecuador and Venezuela.
- Species of Goniopteris tend to have deeply lobed leaf blades and can be distinguished by the characteristic arrangement and shape of their fertile leaf segments.
- Some Goniopteris species display a preference for open, seasonal deciduous forests and scrub areas, where their growth is supported by acidic to slightly alkaline soils.
- In general, members of the Goniopteris genus thrive in shaded or partially shaded environments with adequate moisture, typically below 1500 meters in elevation.