Phlebodium aureum
| Phlebodium aureum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Suborder: | Polypodiineae |
| Family: | Polypodiaceae |
| Genus: | Phlebodium |
| Species: | P. aureum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Phlebodium aureum | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Polypodium aureum L. | |
Phlebodium aureum (golden polypody, golden serpent fern, cabbage palm fern, gold-foot fern, blue-star fern, hare-foot fern;[1] syn. Polypodium aureum, Polypodium leucotomos) is an epiphytic fern native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
Description
It is a
Taxonomy
 | This section includes a improve this section by introducing more precise citations. (February 2020) ) |
Phlebodium aureum is a member of a very small, and recently discovered genus. It was split from the genus Polypodium, and the split is still apparent in the multitude of synonyms available for Phlebodium aureum. Phlebodium is one of the 178 genera in the family Polypodiaceae. Additionally, the family Polypodiaceae is broken into a number of subfamilies, with Phlebodium a member of the non-grammatid tribe within the subfamily Polypodioideae. Members of the non-grammatids in this subfamily include the genera Phlebodium as well as Polypodium, from which Phlebodium is derived and which most likely is its closest relative. Other members include Pecluma, Pleopeltis, Microgramma, and Pleurosoriopsis. A bootstrapping technique proves that, at a 90% confidence level, the polypodiaceous ferns form a sister relationship with tree ferns. However, further phylogenetic studies need to be conducted regarding the current status of the genus, and which of the species are the most related.
The genus Phlebodium is exemplified by containing rows of areoles that lack included veins, and each sorus served by two different veins. Correll and Correll, two authors responsible for thirty years of classification since Flora was introduced in 1982, documented Phlebodium aureum as Polypodium aureum as recently as 1982. However, this creation of the new genera is warranted based on some notable differences. For instance, Giudice et al. point out that the sori on Phlebodium are more smooth and rounded when compared to other groups within the family Polypodiaceae. Additionally, studies on spores and size of the mature plant prove that Phlebodium contrasts severely from the rest of its family, providing the creation of the genera. The division of genera within the Polypodiaceae is fairly gray, considering that systematically, gametophytes differ only very slightly amongst different genera.
Members of the family Polypodiaceae are most closely related to the
, which contains 80% of today's ferns species (see additional page for picture). The order arose and diversified about 100 million years ago, and are regarded as one of the most evolutionarily advanced orders of ferns.Distribution
It is confined to the eastern side of the Americas and the
Habitat
This fern is rarely terrestrial in habitat, usually colonizing the canopies of tropical
Cultivation and uses
.jpg)
Phlebodium aureum is well-adapted to
]It can be cultivated in greenhouses in non-tropical climates if night temperatures do not fall below about 5 °C. Several cultivars have been selected for garden planting, with varying leaf color from grey-green to silver-green to blue-green, or with cristate or very wavy frond margins.[citation needed]
Phlebodium aureum 'Blue Star' has silvery blue-green finger shaped leaves. As a houseplant it can be placed in low to moderate light areas, avoiding direct sunlight that can damage leaves. It is recommended to provide indirect watering and allow slight drying between waterings since standing water can damage the rhizomes. Humid areas of the house are favorable, such as kitchens and bathrooms, if they have enough light. As a more tropical plant, Phlebodium aureum grows best in temperatures between 16–24 °C (61–75 °F) and does not do well in cold temperatures. Most care problems are brought on by improper watering practices.[2]
Medicine
Decoctions have been used as a
Oral consumption of Polypodium leucotomos extract has also been studied for the treatment of dermatologic disorders including melasma, vitiligo, psoriasis, polymorphous light eruption, atopic dermatitis, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, photoaging and skin cancer.[3][4]
Oral consumption of Polypodium leucotomos extract has been shown to protect the skin from ultraviolet light damage.[5] Clinical studies have shown that Polypodium leucotomos extract provides photoprotection against the effects of both UVB and UVA light.[6][7] A review of 19 human and 6 basic scientific studies showed that Polypodium leucotomos was well tolerated with a favorable side effect profile.[8] Consequently, Polypodium leucotomos supplementation has been posited as an adjunct photoprotection strategy in combination with traditional UV filters, such as sunscreen.[9]
References
- ^ "Phlebodium aureum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ Hortology. "Phlebodium Blue Star - Blue Star Fern". Hortology. Retrieved 2024-03-01.
- PMID 24509964.
- PMID 24688621.
- PMID 26885792.
- PMID 28341348.
- PMID 14699363.
- PMID 25738847.
- S2CID 34939748.
Further reading
- Copeland, E. B. 1947. "Genera Filicinum". The Genera of Ferns. Chronica Botanica. Waltham, Mass.
- Lellinger, D. B. 1985. A Field Manual of the Ferns & Fern-allies of the United States & Canada. Smithsonian. Washington, DC.
- Phlebodium aureum in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database
External links
