Microsorum scolopendria, synonym Phymatosorus scolopendria,[1] commonly called monarch fern, musk fern, maile-scented fern, breadfruit fern, or wart fern is a species of fern[2][3] within the family Polypodiaceae. This fern grows in the wild in the Western Pacific rim from Australia to New Caledonia to Fiji and throughout the South Pacific to French Polynesia.
It was introduced in Hawaii in the late 1910s and has subsequently naturalized rapidly. It is found on all main islands.[4] Its Hawaiian name lauaʻe[5] is thought to have originally referred to the native fern Microsorum spectrum.[6]
The scientific name M. scolopendria has been misapplied to Microsorum grossum (and their synonyms in Phymatosorus).[7]
Uses
When crushed, the fern issues a scent similar to maile.[6] Sometimes, pieces of the fern are interlaced in leis made of strung-up keys (individual drupes) of the pandanus fruit.[5][6] It is also one of the plants used for scenting kapa fabric.[8][9]
Folklore
Expanses of the fern famously grows in Makana on Kauaʻi, and is commemorated in song.[10][9]
Media
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Microsorum scolopendria filmed at night.
References
- Citations
- ^ a b c Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (January 2020). "Phymatosorus scolopendria". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Version 8.20. Retrieved 2020-02-11.
- ^ "Maile-Scented Fern". Na mea kanu o Kamehameha. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ "Microsorum scolopendria". National Tropical Botanical Garden. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Palmer, Daniel D. (2003). Hawaiʻi's ferns and fern allies. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press. ISBN 9780824833473.
- ^ a b Pukui, Mary Kawena; Elbert, Samuel H. (1986). "lauaʻe, lauwaʻe". Hawaiian Dictionary. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. p. 194. ISBN 9780824807030.
Mary Kawena Pukui; Samuel Hoyt Elbert (2003). "lookup of Lauaʻe". in Hawaiian Dictionary. Ulukau, the Hawaiian Electronic Library, University of Hawaii Press. - ^ a b c Abbott 1992, pp. 127, 145.
- ^ "Phymatosorus grossus – Musk Fern". Hawaiian Plants and Tropical Flowers. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Abbott 1992, p. 58.
- ^ a b "laua'e". Hawaiian Ethnobotany Online Database. Bishop Museum.
- ^ Pukui 1983, pp. 166, 210.
- Bibliography
- Pukui, Mary Kawena (1983). He Mau Kaʻao Hawaii: Folktales of Hawaiʻi. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press. ISBN 9780910240918.
- Abbott, Isabella Aiona (1992). Lā'au Hawai'i : traditional Hawaiian uses of plants. Bishop Museum Press. ISBN 0-93089-762-5.
External links
- Gustafson, Robert, 1939- Hawaiian plant life : vegetation and flora Honolulu : University of Hawaiʻi Press, 2014. ISBN 9780824837105
- Valier, Kathy, 1953- Ferns of Hawai`i Honolulu : University of Hawaii Press, 1995 ISBN 0824816404
- http://digicoll.manoa.hawaii.edu/hawaiiflowers/Pages/viewtext.php?s=browse&tid=252 Plants for Hawaiian lei: Laua'e
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