Family: Polypodiaceae
Group: Pteridophyte
Perennation:
Perennial
Habit:
Herb
Substrate:
Epiphyte
Native Status:
Native
Native Range:
The West Indies, southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America and South America.
Map of Locations [currently Florida only]
History in the Bahamas:
Reported in 1920 by Britton & Millspaugh as an epiphyte on trees, especially palmettos (Sabal palmetto) nearly throughout the Commonwealth (Grand Bahama, Whale Cay, Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera, Cat Island, Crooked Island). Reported by Correll & Correll (1982: 36) as an epiphyte growing almosts exclusively on Sabal palmetto in the northwestern and central Commonwealth (regions 10-8, 5). Britton & Millspaugh's Crooked Island report would extend the range southeast to Correll & Correll's region 3.
Comments:
For information and images from Eleuthera, visit the
Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve website. Also visit IRC's
Natives For Your Neighborhood website for information on use in landscaping and ecological restoration in South Florida.
Synonyms:
Polypodium aureum.
