Odontosoria chinensis is a fern in the family Lindsaeaceae.[1][2] Commonly called lace fern (Hawaiian: pala'ā, palae, or palapala'ā), it is native from India to Hawai'i, and south to Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines, as well as other parts of the tropics and sub-tropics.[1] It is commonly found in forest openings and disturbed areas such as landslides, along trails or roads. It grows in moist, shady areas from sea level to an elevation of 4,000 feet.[3]

Odontosoria chinensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Family: Lindsaeaceae
Genus: Odontosoria
Species:
O. chinensis
Binomial name
Odontosoria chinensis
(L.) J.Sm.[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Adiantum chinense (L.) Burm.f.
  • Davallia chinensis (L.) Sm.
  • Lindsaea chinensis (L.) A.Braun & C.D.Bouché
  • Microlepia chinensis (L.) Mett.
  • Sphenomeris chinensis (L.) Maxon
  • Stenoloma chinense (L.) Bedd.
  • Trichomanes chinense L.

Subspecies

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As of November 2019, two subspecies were recognized:[1][2]

  • Odontosoria chinensis ssp. chinensis
  • Odontosoria chinensis ssp. tenuifolia (Lam.) Fraser-Jenk. & Kandel

Odontosoria biflora from the Philippines has also been treated as a subspecies of this species.

Uses

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Hawaiians made red-brown dye from the old fronds. Pala'ā was used to treat "female ailments". It is made into a lei using the hili, or hilo technique - a braiding or plaiting method with only one type of plant material. It is also made into haku with other plants using the wili or winding method and a backing.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Odontosoria chinensis (L.) J.Sm". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  2. ^ a b Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (November 2019). "Odontosoria chinensis". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. 8.11. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  3. ^ 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. pp. 38–39. ISBN 1929325134.
  4. ^ Bornhorst, Heidi Leianuenue (2005). Growing native Hawaiian plants : a how-to guide for the gardener. Honolulu: Bess Press. p. 63. ISBN 1573062073.
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