Davallia formosana
Davalliia formosana, commonly known as the Formosan Rabbit's Foot Fern, is a resilient epiphytic plant prized for its soft, fuzzy rhizomes. While primarily enjoyed as an ornamental species, its unique biological properties offer intriguing potential in traditional ethnobotany, inviting further scientific exploration into its diverse medicinal applications.
- Scientific name: Davallia formosana
- Family: Polypodiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Davalliia formosana, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Polypodiinae, it is classified under the order Polypodiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Polypodiaceae and the genus Davallia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Polypodiinae | WCVP |
| Order | Polypodiales | WCVP |
| Family | Polypodiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Davallia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Davalliia formosa, is referred to by several different common names depending on the linguistic region and specific variety. In Simplified Chinese, it is commonly called 台湾骨碎补 or 大叶骨碎补, while in Traditional Chinese as used in Taiwan, it is identified as 臺灣骨碎補 or 大葉骨碎補.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 台湾骨碎补 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 臺灣骨碎補 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 台湾骨碎补 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 大葉骨碎補 | Wikidata |
| zh | 大叶骨碎补 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the subtropical regions of East Asia. Its natural habitat is primarily identified within the territories of Taiwan. Furthermore, it can be found growing across various parts of Southeast China. These specific locations suggest that the species thrives in the humid climates characteristic of these areas. Consequently, its range is relatively localized to these particular eastern Asian environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Formosan rabbit's foot fern, features specialized structures that allow it to thrive in its natural habitat. The roots are particularly distinctive, forming thick, fleshy, and hairy rhizomes that resemble animal feet, which help the plant anchor itself to substrates and absorb moisture. These rhizomes extend from the stems, which are relatively short and integrated into the creeping rhizomatous structure, supporting the delicate, feathery fronds that characterize this medicinal fern.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Davallia formosana has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |