Blechnum tabulare
Blechnum tabulare, commonly known as the Table Fern, is a distinctive fern species native to subtropical regions. Beyond its ornamental appeal, this plant holds significance in traditional ethnobotany. Valued for its unique morphology, it serves as a fascinating subject for studying natural bioactive compounds and traditional medicinal applications.
- Scientific name: Blechnum tabulare
- Family: Aspleniaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Polypodiinae and order Polypodiales, it is classified under the family Aspleniaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Blechnum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Polypodiinae | WCVP |
| Order | Polypodiales | WCVP |
| Family | Aspleniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Blechnum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Blechnum tabulare, is referred to by several different common names depending on the linguistic or botanical context. In French, it is frequently called la fausse osmunde or la fausse-osmonde, while it is also identified by the names Pteris tabularis and Pteris osmundoides. Additionally, it is known by the name Lomaria boryana.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| fr | Fausse osmonde | Wikidata |
| fr | Fausse-osmonde | Wikidata |
| fr | Pteris tabularis | Wikidata |
| fr | Pteris osmundoides | Wikidata |
| fr | Lomaria boryana | Wikidata |
| es | Blechnum boryanum | Wikidata |
| es | Blechnum imperiale | Wikidata |
| es | Lomaria boryana | Wikidata |
| es | Lomaria dalgairnsiae | Wikidata |
| es | Lomaria gueinzii | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence has been specifically documented in Nigeria. Moving into the West-Central Tropical Africa region, the species can be found in Cameroon and Gabon. Additionally, its distribution extends further east into Burundi and Rwanda. Together, these findings highlight the plant's spread across various tropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |