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Lecanopteris lomarioides

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Found this plant at the foot of Mt. Soputan on Sulawesi.


The caudex are appearing real scaly,
and it is hollow, forming the perfect ant nest.
The ants protect the plant and bring nutrition to it.

Author: Edwin Bingham Copeland, 1929
Family:  POLYPODIACEAE
Origin:  Northern Sulawesi; Indonesia, Philippines
Soil:  No, Epiphytic - Mix
Water:  Medium
Sun:  Medium - Maximum
Thickness:  5 Centimetres
Height:  30 Centimetres
Flower:  No, Brown Spores
Propagate:  Seeds/Rhizomes
Names:  Ant Fern
Synonyms:  Might be: Myrmecopteris lomarioides, Pic. Serm. 1977.
Polypodium lomarioides Kunze ex Mett. 1856.
Drynaria lomarioides, J.Sm.
Lecanopteris sarcopus,
Copel.
Myrmecophila sarcopus,
Ching.
Myrmecopteris sarcopus,
Pic.Serm.
Pleopeltis lomarioides,
T.Moore.
Pleopeltis sarcopus,
Alderw.
Pleopeltis sauvinieri,
Alderw.
Polypodium myrmecophilum ,
Christ.
Polypodium sarcopum,
Teijsm. & Binn.
Polypodium sarcopus,
de Vriese & Teysm. ex Baker.

This member of the Polypodiaceae family was given this name by Edwin Bingham Copeland in 1929. It is found in the lowlands of northern Sulawesi; Indonesia and on the Philippines, growing on the stems of old trees, but it will do fine in a well drained and soil with some to lots of water and some to full sun. The rhizomes will grow to five centimetres, forming clusters reaching 30 centimetres or more. The leaves reach 30 centimetres.

The genera name after some Lecan, but I fail to figure which one, or perhaps Greek lekane; 'bowl', and Latin pteris; 'fern'. The genera name Lecanopteris was introduced by Caspar Georg Reinwardt published in Flora 8, 1825. The species name means it look like Lomaria, a genera in the Blechnaceae family.


The ants are defending their home fearlessly, and are real
annoying when you are climbing their tree for photos.


Habitat photo by Morten Pedersen, while I did some close-ups.