Cretan brake

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ribbon Fern
• Cretan brake
• Avery Fern

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pteris confertinervia
• Pteris cretica var. nervosa
• Pteris dangiana
• Pteris emergens
• Pteris serraria
• Pteris trifoliata
• Pycnodoria cretica
• Pteris cretica major
• Litobrochia contracta
• Pteris cretica var. intermedia
• Pteris cretica alexandrae
• Pteris dutrii
• Pteris gauthieri
• Pteris rivertoniana
• Pteris wimsettii
• Pteris cretica var. prolifera
• Pteris cretica f. bifida
• Pteris heptaphyllos
• Pteris lomarioides
• Pteris oligophylla
• Pteris pentaphylla
• Pteris pseudodactylina
• Pteris serrulata var. intermedia
• Pteris sichuanensis
• Pteris taeniosa
• Pteris cretica var. americana
• Pteris xichouensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Polypodiinae. Within the order Polypodiales, it is classified under the family Pteridaceae and the genus Pteris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several regions across the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be recorded within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found in countries such as Hungary, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Its range also extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically reaching the island of Corse. Together, these locations highlight the diverse habitats where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Pteris cretica is characterized by its broad adaptability across diverse altitudinal gradients, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude environments reaching 3000 m AMSL. This species is typically found inhabiting the Floresta Ombrófila (also known as Floresta Pluvial), where it thrives within the humid and moisture-rich conditions characteristic of tropical rainforest ecosystems. Its ability to occupy such a vast elevational range allows it to persist in various microclimates, provided the fundamental moisture requirements of its rainforest habitat are met.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Pteris cretica is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, its survival strategy relies on underground structures that protect it during unfavorable periods, enabling it to emerge and thrive when environmental conditions become suitable.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Pteris cretica is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber or a liana, maintaining an independent existence rather than acting as a parasite. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, growing directly in soil environments. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 0.8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.8 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Pteris cretica is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency, typically favoring environments with moderate light and moisture levels. The plant's vegetative architecture is defined by its pinnate leaf form, a structural adaptation that optimizes surface area for light interception and gas exchange. This leaf morphology, combined with its C3 metabolism, influences its transpiration rates and overall water-use efficiency, shaping its physiological response to varying environmental stressors.

Leaf form :

pinnate

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Pteris cretica is characterized by a specific phenological cycle, with its flowering period occurring within a defined seasonal window. The process typically commences with the flowering start in April, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. This reproductive phase continues through the warmer months, reaching its flowering end in August. This temporal span ensures that the plant's reproductive efforts are synchronized with the seasonal availability of resources required for its life cycle.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Pteris cretica has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Acetylpterosin C.

Acetylpterosin C

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Conditions

Pteris cretica has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include COVID-19, hepatitis, inflammation, jaundice, virus infection.

Covid-19

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Hepatitis

1. BMC plant biology

Inflammation

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Jaundice

1. BMC plant biology

Virus infection

1. Chinese herbal medicines

Preparations

Pteris cretica has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts (PW-EA).

Extracts (pw-ea)

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology