Thelypteris parasitica
Thelypteris parasitica, commonly known as the parasitic fern, is a distinctive pteridophyte found in tropical regions. Renowned for its unique ecological role and medicinal potential, it is traditionally used in various cultures to treat skin ailments and inflammatory conditions, offering significant pharmacological interest for modern herbal research and development.
- Scientific name: Thelypteris parasitica
- Family: Aspleniaceae
- Native range: Africa
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, falling under the family Aspleniaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Thelypteris.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Polypodiinae | WCVP |
| Order | Polypodiales | WCVP |
| Family | Aspleniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Thelypteris | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Thelypteris parasitica, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently called the parasitic fern, while in Spanish, it is known as helecho parásito. In Portuguese, the plant is commonly called felgo parásito, and in French, it is identified as fougère parasite.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans across multiple continents and ocean islands. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its range extends to East Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Uganda. Moving toward the Middle Atlantic Ocean, the species is also present on the island of St. Helena. Finally, in Asia, its distribution includes South-Central China as well as the island of Hainan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| Middle Atlantic Ocean | St.Helena | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Japan | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Korea | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Kazan-retto | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Nansei-shoto | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Thelypteris parasitica, is a type of fern characterized by its distinct morphological features. The most prominent part of the organism is its leaves, which are typically large, pinnate, and arranged to capture sunlight efficiently for photosynthesis. As a fern, it does not produce flowers or seeds, instead utilizing these specialized leaves to facilitate spore production for reproduction.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fern | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |