mahogany fern

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• mahogany fern
• Cloak Fern
• Tree Maidenhair Fern

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aspidium truncatulum
• Tegularia adiantifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Polypodiinae and order Polypodiales, it is categorized under the family Polypodiaceae. Ultimately, the species is identified by the genus Didymochlaena and the specific name truncatula.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across the diverse tropical landscapes of the Malesia region. Within this expansive area, it can be found growing on the island of Borneo. Its range also extends to the Indonesian island of Jawa. Additionally, the species is documented to inhabit the territory of Sulawesi. Finally, its geographical presence includes the large island of Sumatera.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Didymochlena truncatula is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning an elevational range from 0 m AMSL to a maximum of 3000 m AMSL. Within this diverse vertical gradient, the species is specifically found inhabiting the Bosque medio, where its growth and survival are shaped by the distinct environmental conditions of these mid-altitude forests.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque medio

Life history

The life history of Didymochlena truncatula is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, specifically exhibiting a geophyte life form, which indicates that its essential regenerative organs are located underground to survive unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Didymochlaena truncatula is characterized by a herbaceous growth form, functioning as a non-woody herb. This plant is terrestrial in nature, neither aquatic nor epiphytic, and exists as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, it is a self-supporting species that does not require climbing structures, such as lianas or vines, to maintain its upright posture. The plant exhibits a variable height profile, with a minimum recorded height of 0.5 m, a maximum of 2 m, and a mean height of approximately 2.3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

2.3 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Didymochlaena truncatula is fundamentally characterized by its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism. In this process, the initial fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide is catalyzed by the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), resulting in the direct formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This metabolic route dictates the plant's gas exchange dynamics and water-use efficiency, as the reliance on the C3 pathway necessitates the maintenance of open stomata for CO2 uptake, subsequently making the plant's physiological processes sensitive to transpiration rates and environmental humidity. Consequently, its carbon assimilation and energy production are governed by the standard Calvin cycle, typical of many moisture-dependent pteridophytes.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Didymochlaena truncatula has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include (-)-Wikstromol, 9-Methoxycamptothecin, Stigmast-4-en-3-one, camptothecin, stigmast-4-en-3beta-ol.

(-)-Wikstromol

1. Journal of natural products

9-Methoxycamptothecin

1. Journal of natural products

Stigmast-4-en-3-one

1. Journal of natural products

camptothecin

1. Journal of natural products

stigmast-4-en-3beta-ol

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Didymochlaena truncatula has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include EtOH extracts.

Etoh extracts

1. Journal of natural products