Microsorum punctatum
{{Short description|Species of fern}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Microsorum_punctatum.jpg
| image_caption =
| genus = Microsorum
| species = punctatum
| authority = (L.) Copel.
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}}
{{Commonscat|Microsorum punctatum}}
Microsorum punctatum is a fern from the subfamily Microsoroideae commonly called the fish-tail fern, climbing bird's nest fern, dwarf elkhorn fern, or wart fern.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Microsorum punctatum(MSOPU) |encyclopedia=EPPO Global Database |publisher=Secretariat of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) |url=https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/MSOPU |access-date=22 October 2024 }} It has been used in traditional medicine.
Description
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2021}}
Like other members of subfamily Microsoroideae, this species is a facultative epiphyte; it often grows epiphytically, but can also grow atop the soil surface (terrestrially) in moist, well-drained areas.{{Cite conference |author=Bosman, Monique T. M. |year=1991 |title=A monograph of the fern Genus Microsorum (Polypodiaceae) including an attempt towards a reconstruction of the phylogenetic history of the microsoroids}}
The rhizome is small, short, 50 mm in diameter, covered with dark brown scales; elongated scales, similar to triangles, 8 mm long. Single leaf lanceolate shape, green, 550 mm long, 50 mm wide, indistinct petiole, clear leaf bone, 3 mm diameter, pointed tip, winged base of leaf, branched leaf repetition.
File:星蕨 Microsorum punctatum 20220618163817 01.jpg
File:星蕨 Microsorum punctatum 20220618163817 02.jpg
File:星蕨 Microsorum punctatum 20220618163817 03.jpg
File:(Arya) Microsorum punctatum at Citradream Hotel Cirebon 2019 2.jpg|Leaves of Microsorum punctatum 'Grandiceps'
Distribution
M. punctatum is found in Africa and Asia.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel. |encyclopedia=GBIF: Flobal Biodiversity Information Facility |publisher=GBIF Secretariat |url=https://www.gbif.org/species/2650536 |access-date=20 October 2024 }} It is native to Andaman Islands, Angola, Assam, Bangladesh, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Provinces, Caroline Islands, Central African Republic, north-central China, south-central China, southeast China, Christmas Island, Comoros, Eastern Himalayas, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea islands, Hainan, India, Ivory Coast, Jawa, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Laos, Lesser Sunda Islands, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaya, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, New South Wales, Nicobar Islands, Nigeria, Northern Provinces, Philippines, Queensland, Rwanda, Réunion, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Society Islands, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Zambia, Zaïre, and Zimbabwe; it has been introduced in Colombia.{{cite encyclopedia |title=Microsorum punctatum (L.) Copel. |encyclopedia=Plants of the World Online |publisher=Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17341250-1/ |access-date=20 October 2024 }}
Uses
Juice extracted from the fronds (leaves) of the fern is used as purgative, diuretic, and wound healing agents in traditional medicine in Assam.Sharma UK, Pegu S. Ethnobotany of religious and supernatural beliefs of the Mising tribes of Assam with special reference to the 'Dobur Uie'. J Ethnobiol Ethnomedicine 2011; 7(1): 16.