Nephrolepis cordifolia

Nephrolepis cordifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Filicinae
Order:	Polypodiales
Family:	Lomariopsidaceae
Genus:	Nephrolepis
Species:	N. cordifolia
Binomial name
Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) K. Presl
Synonyms
Aspidium cordifolium (L.) Sw. Aspidium pendulum (Raddi) Aspidium tuberosum Bory ex Willd Aspidium volubile (Sm.) F.M.Bailey Nephrodium pendulum (Raddi) Desv. Nephrodium tuberosum (Bory ex Willd.) Desv Nephrolepis auriculata" (L.) Trimen Nephrolepis radicans (Burm.f.) Kuhn Nephrolepis tuberosa (Bory ex Willd.) C.Presl Polypodium cordifolium L.

Nephrolepis cordifolia, is a fern native to northern Australia and Asia. It has many common names including tuber ladder fern, erect sword fern, narrow sword fern and ladder fern, fishbone fern, and herringbone fern.^[1] It is indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands where it is known as kupukupu, 'okupukupu or ni'ani'au ^[2] It is similar to the related fern Nephrolepis exaltata.

Nephrolepis cordifolia root system showing a tuber.

Distribution

It has been introduced into Bermuda, French Polynesia, New Zealand, and the United States.^[3]

The species is native in north eastern Australia, and is considered naturalised on the central east coast of New South Wales.^[1]

Invasive species

Nephrolepis cordifolia spreading on a forest and pasture margin in the Waikato Region in New Zealand.

Nephrolepis cordifolia has become an invasive species is some areas where it has been introduced. In New Zealand it is listed on the National Pest Plant Accord preventing the sale, cultivation and distribution of the plant. It is listed as an invasive species in Florida, United States.^[4]

References

1. "Nephrolepsis cordifolia". PlantNet - FloraOnline. Retrieved 30 December 2012.
2. Growing plants for Hawaiian lei : 85 plants for gardens, conservation, and business. Honolulu: College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. 2002. p. 24. ISBN 1929325134.
3. "Nephrolepis cordifolia". Global Invasive Species Database (Invasive Species Specialist Group). Retrieved 8 November 2011.
4. "Nephrolepis cordifolia" (PDF). Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. Retrieved 8 November 2011.

External links

• Nephrolepis cordifolia at the Global Invasive Species Database (Invasive Species Specialist Group)
• "Nephrolepis cordifolia". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
• Nephrolepis cordifolia at Weedbusters (New Zealand)
• Nephrolepis cordifolia at the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health (United States)