Family:
MatoniaceaeRegion: Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Indonesia.
Habitat: acidic, nutrient-poor soils; open, exposed ridges or in montane forests; high humidity and rainfall; forest understorey.
Ecology: stabilizing soil; providing habitats for insects and small animals.
BotanyFern; medium-sized, terrestrial; fan-shaped appearance.
Roots: fibrous; adapted to shallow, well-drained soils.
Stem: rhizome; creeping and underground.
Leaves: large; spreading; fan-shaped; dichotomous (forked) vein pattern; bright green; pinnately divided into numerous narrow segments; stipe long, slender, erect, smooth, shiny.
Sori: along the veins, protected by an indusium, umbrella-like structure.
Sporangia produce spores for reproduction, typical of primitive ferns.