Asplenium nidus

Bird's nest fern

Asplenium nidus, commonly known as the Bird's Nest Fern, is a striking epiphytic plant prized for its lush, rosette-shaped foliage. Beyond its ornamental beauty, this fern holds significant traditional medicinal value, often utilized in various cultures for its potential anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and healing properties within herbal remedies.

  • Scientific name: Asplenium nidus
  • Family: Aspleniaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Polypodiinae and order Polypodiales, it is situated in the family Aspleniaceae. It is specifically identified by its genus, Asplenium.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Polypodiinae WCVP
Order Polypodiales WCVP
Family Aspleniaceae WCVP
Genus Asplenium WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Asplenium nidus, is recognized by a variety of common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 鸟巢蕨, while in Indonesian, it is called Paku sarang burung. In Poland, the species is known as Zanokcica gniazdowa, and in Thailand, it is identified as ข้าหลวงหลังลาย. Additionally, in Taiwan, it is commonly called Hakato.
Language Common Name Source
zh 鸟巢蕨 Wikidata
id Paku sarang burung Wikidata
pl Zanokcica gniazdowa Wikidata
th ข้าหลวงหลังลาย Wikidata
to Hakato Wikidata
fi pesäraunioinen Wikidata
sl gnezdnati sršaj Wikidata
ms Paku langsuyar Wikidata
fa سرخس لانه پرنده Wikidata
ar سرخس عش الطير Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several tropical regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found within the Chagos Archipelago. Its range extends to the Indian Subcontinent, specifically including Bangladesh. Furthermore, it is widely distributed throughout Malesia, spanning from Borneo to Jawa. Finally, the species is also documented across the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Region Area Source
Western Indian Ocean Chagos Archipelago WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Malesia Borneo WCVP
Malesia Jawa WCVP
Malesia Lesser Sunda Is. WCVP
Malesia Malaya WCVP
Malesia Maluku WCVP
Malesia Philippines WCVP
Malesia Sulawesi WCVP
Malesia Sumatera WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as the Bird's Nest Fern, is characterized primarily by its large, undivided leaves that grow in a distinct rosette pattern. These long, bright green leaves are strap-shaped and possess a leathery texture, which allows them to efficiently capture moisture and nutrients in their natural forest habitats. In medicinal contexts, the structure and composition of these leaves are often the focus of study, as they form the central "nest" that supports the plant's unique ecological function.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Asplenium nidus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Asplenium nidus has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fungi.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
fungi 1 ★☆☆☆☆