Dryopteris sparsa

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aspidium sparsum
• Lastrea sparsa
• Nephrodium sparsum
• Polystichum sparsum

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. As a member of the subclass Polypodiinae and the order Polypodiales, it is further categorized into the family Polypodiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Dryopteris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions within China. It can be found growing in the diverse environments of China South-Central and China North-Central. Furthermore, its presence extends to the tropical landscapes of Hainan and the lush areas of China Southeast. The species also inhabits the high-altitude terrains of Tibet. Together, these locations highlight the broad geographical range of Dryopteris sparsa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Dryopteris sparsa is characterized by its growth habit as a terrestrial fern, typically found in shaded, moist environments rather than being strictly aquatic or semiaquatic. The plant features a creeping or erect rhizome, which is often covered with pale, brownish, or scaly scales that protect the growing tips. The fronds are arranged in a basal rosette and exhibit a diverse range of forms, varying from bipinnate to tripinnate, which provides a delicate, feathery appearance. The stipes (leaf stalks) are generally slender, often possessing a distinct color gradient—ranging from light green to brownish hues—and are frequently clothed in scales near the base. The pinnules are typically small, ovate to lanceolate, and possess serrated or entire margins depending on the specific variety. On the underside of the fertile fronds, the sori are arranged in discrete clusters, typically located near the margins or midribs, protected by a thin, often membranous indusium, which is a key diagnostic feature for its reproductive morphology.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Dryopteris sparsa has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Conditions

Dryopteris sparsa has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antioxidant activity.

Antioxidant activity

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology

Preparations

Dryopteris sparsa has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extracts.

Methanolic extracts

1. Journal of experimental pharmacology