Walking Maidenhair Fern

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Walking Maidenhair Fern

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Adiantum philippense, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Polypodiinae within the order Polypodiales. Furthermore, it is a member of the family Pteridaceae and is specifically categorized under the genus Adiantum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions including Macaronesia and West Tropical Africa. Within the Macaronesian islands, its presence is specifically noted in Cape Verde. Moving to the African mainland, it can be found throughout various West Tropical African nations. Its range includes the countries of Benin, Burkina, and Ghana. Additionally, the species extends its reach into Guinea-Bissau, completing its regional footprint.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Adiantum philippense is characterized by its preference for humid and shaded environments, typically thriving within the Floresta de Terra Firme and Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial). This species occupies a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL. By inhabiting these moist, tropical forest ecosystems, the plant benefits from the consistent moisture and stable microclimates provided by dense canopy cover.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Adiantum philippense is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions primarily as a hemicryptophyte, with its perennating buds located at the soil surface, often complemented by a lithophyte life form, which enables it to thrive in rocky or stony substrates. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen nature, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and present across various environmental conditions rather than shedding leaves seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

lithophyte

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Adiantum philippense is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. This plant is a self-supporting species that does not function as a climber or a parasite, maintaining an independent existence in its habitat. It is a terrestrial organism, rather than being aquatic or epiphytic, growing directly in the soil. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing plant with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Adiantum philippinense is characterized by its specialized adaptations to humid, shaded environments, where it manages gas exchange and water regulation through highly efficient stomatal control on its delicate, pinnate fronds. As a pteridophyte, its metabolic processes are driven by photosynthesis occurring within chloroplasts located in the parenchymatous tissue of the leaves, allowing it to thrive in low-light understory niches. The plant utilizes a rhizomatous growth habit to facilitate nutrient uptake and structural stability within moist substrates. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, Adiantum philippinense is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as Rhizobium or actinomycetes, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, meaning it relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium present in the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Adiantum philippense has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Phomalactone.

Phomalactone

1. Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology

Activities

Adiantum philippense has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal, genetic engineering & biotechnology