Mariana Maiden Fern

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mariana Maiden Fern
• Torre's Fern

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phegopteris oligophlebia
• Thelypteris oligophlebia
• Dryopteris elegans
• Macrothelypteris changshaensis
• Phegopteris alsophiloides
• Phegopteris trichodes
• Polypodium balansae
• Polypodium russelianum
• Polypodium tenericaule
• Polystichum torresianum
• Thelypteris uliginosa
• Lastrea tenericaulis
• Lastrea torresiana
• Macrothelypteris torresiana monstr. lophaea
• Polypodium trichodes
• Nephrodium tenericaule
• Lastrea oligophlebia var. lasiocarpa
• Dryopteris oligophlebia var. lasiocarpa
• Macrothelypteris oligophlebia
• Macrothelypteris oligophlebia var. elegans
• Thelypteris oligophlebia var. elegans
• Thelypteris torresiana var. calvata
• Dryopteris alsophiloides
• Dryopteris lasiocarpa
• Dryopteris mollissima
• Hypolepis trichodes
• Lastrea cosmopolita
• Lastrea flaccida
• Aspidium tenericaule
• Aspidium uliginosum
• Aspidium leucopis
• Aspidium mollissimum
• Aspidium oligophlebium
• Dryopteris oligophlebia
• Lastrea oligophlebia
• Nephrodium oligophlebium
• Macrothelypteris oligophlebia var. changshaensis
• Dryopteris tenericaulis
• Thelypteris oligophlebia var. lasiocarpa
• Polystichum oligophlebium
• Lastrea oligophlebia var. elegans
• Macrothelypteris torresiana var. calvata
• Thelypteris torresiana
• Thelypteris uliginosa var. elegans
• Hypolepis punctata var. henryi
• Dryopteris oligophlebia var. lophaea
• Nephrodium setigerum var. calvatum
• Thelypteris lasiocarpa
• Dryopteris trichodes

Regional and Traditional Names

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, it is further organized into the subclass Polypodiinae and the order Polypodiales. Finally, it is a member of the family Aspleniaceae and is specifically identified by the genus Macrothelypteris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the southern hemisphere. Within Southern Africa, it can be found inhabiting the Cape Provinces as well as the KwaZulu-Natal area. Its presence extends significantly into the Western Indian Ocean, where it thrives in various island ecosystems. Specifically, it is documented in the Comoros and on the island of Mauritius. Furthermore, the species has a notable distribution within Madagascar.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Macrothelypteris torresiana is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and high habitat versatility. This species can be found across a wide elevational range, spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to altitudes of 2500 m AMSL. Its ecological presence is noted in various environmental settings, including anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), riparian forests or gallery forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria), deciduous seasonal forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual), semi-deciduous seasonal forests (Floresta Estacional Semi-decidua), and ombrophilous forests, also known as rainforests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial).

Elevational range max:

2500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Macrothelypteris torresiana is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. Its biological strategy is defined by its classification as a cryptophyte, meaning its regenerative buds are protected underground or at the soil surface. Specifically, it functions as a geophyte, relying on specialized underground structures to survive unfavorable environmental conditions and ensure long-term continuity within its habitat.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Macrothelypteris torresiana is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, exhibiting a self-supporting habit rather than acting as a climber, liana, or vine. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite and maintains a terrestrial lifestyle, categorized as neither an epiphyte nor an aquatic or semiaquatic species. The plant reaches a physical stature with a height ranging from a minimum of 1.5 m to a maximum of 1.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.6 m

Plant height min:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Macrothelypteris torresiana is characterized by a robust vegetative structure designed for efficient light interception and resource management. The plant exhibits a non-succulent morphology, meaning it lacks specialized water-storage tissues within its foliage, relying instead on consistent environmental moisture to maintain turgor pressure. Its photosynthetic capacity is supported by expansive foliage, with leaves reaching a maximum length of 50 cm and a maximum width of 70 cm. This significant surface area facilitates high rates of gas exchange and light absorption, driving the metabolic processes necessary for its growth and medicinal potency.

Leaf length max:

50 cm

Leaf width max:

70 cm

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Macrothelypteris torresiana is characterized by a complex array of dispersal mechanisms that facilitate its spread across diverse environments. The plant exhibits a versatile dispersal syndrome, primarily functioning through anemochory, where wind serves as the principal agent for transporting reproductive units. However, its reproductive strategy is not limited to a single vector; it also incorporates elements of autochory, involving self-dispersal mechanisms, and anthropochory, where human activity inadvertently aids in its movement. Furthermore, the species displays a broad spectrum of potential dispersal modes, including hydrochory via water currents, endozoochory and epizoochory through animal interaction, and myrmecochory through ant mediation. This multi-faceted approach, which encompasses both specialized and unspecialized zoochorous patterns, ensures that the plant can effectively colonize new habitats through various biological and physical pathways.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Macrothelypteris torresiana has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.

Rhizome

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Root

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Chemicals

Macrothelypteris torresiana has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Protoapigenone, DEDC, apigenin.

Protoapigenone

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Fitoterapia

DEDC

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

apigenin

1. Fitoterapia

Conditions

Macrothelypteris torresiana has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, neuroblastoma.

Cancer

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Neuroblastoma

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

Preparations

Macrothelypteris torresiana has 2 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include DEDC, M. torresiana extract.

Dedc

1. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA

M. torresiana extract

1. Fitoterapia