Cyrtomium Fortunei Research Articles

Asiatic fern Cyrtomium fortunei J. Sm. (Dryopteridaceae) – a new naturalized fern in the flora of Slovenia

A naturalized population of Asiatic fern Cyrtomium fortunei J. Sm. was found in the surroundings of Nova Gorica. It is the first record of the species in the country, although the locality is an expected prolongation of the secondary distribution range with the species’ concentration in southern foothills of the Carnic Prealps (N Italy). The locality is characterized by mild temperate submediterranean climate and slightly degraded forest vegetation of the alliance Carpinion orientalis, where the fern occurs in the herb layer. Local occurrence of the fern represents the easternmost point of its secondary distribution range in Northeastern Italy, although this could possibly be connected with the immediate vicinity of the graveyards at the top of the slope.

Therapeutic Potential of Neoechinulins and Their Derivatives: An Overview of the Molecular Mechanisms Behind Pharmacological Activities.

Neoechinulins are diketopiperazine type indole alkaloids that demonstrate radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-neurodegenerative, neurotrophic factor-like, anticancer, pro-apoptotic, and anti-apoptotic properties. An array of neoechinulins such as neoechinulins A-E, isoechinulins A-C, cryptoechunilin have been isolated from various fungal sources like Aspergillus sp., Xylaria euglossa, Eurotium cristatum, Microsporum sp., etc. Besides, neoechinulin derivatives or stereoisomers were also obtained from diverse non-fungal sources viz. Tinospora sagittata, Opuntia dillenii, Cyrtomium fortunei, Cannabis sativa, and so on. The main purpose of this review is to provide update information on neoechinulins and their analogues about the molecular mechanisms of the pharmacological action and possible future research. The recent data from this review can be used to create a basis for the discovery of new neoechinulin-based drugs and their analogues in the near future. The online databases PubMed, Science and Google scholar were researched for the selection and collection of data from the available literature on neoechinulins, their natural sources and their pharmacological properties. The published books on this topic were also analysed. In vitro and in vivo assays have established the potential of neoechinulin A as a promising anticancer and anti-neuroinflammatory lead molecule. Neoechinulin B was also identified as a potential antiviral drug against hepatitis C virus. Toxicological and clinical trials are needed in the future to improve the phyto-pharmacological profile of neoquinolines. From the analysis of the literature, we found that neoechinulins and their derivatives have special biological potential. Although some modern pharmacological analyzes have highlighted the molecular mechanisms of action and some signalling pathways, the correlation between these phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities must be validated in the future by preclinical toxicological and clinical studies.

COVID-19 and the Use of Natural Products

COVID-19 and the Use of Natural Products

How Chinese Herbal Medicine Prevents Epidemics: From Ancient Pestilences to COVID-19 Pandemic.

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic calls for effective control and prevention. Chinese medicine (CM) has developed systematic theories and approaches for infectious disease prevention over 2000 years. Here, we review and analyze Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) used in infectious disease prevention from ancient pestilences to modern epidemics and pandemics to share cumulative preventive medical experience. A total of 829 formulas, including 329 herbs from 189 ancient books, 131 formulas with 152 herbs, and 13 Chinese patent medicines (CPM) from 30 official Chinese prevention programs used in ancient epidemics, SARS, influenza and COVID-19 prevention, were reviewed and analyzed. Preventive CHM mainly has four functions and can be taken orally or applied externally. CHM that kill pathogens (Realgar [Xionghuang], Cyrtomium Fortunei J. Sm[Guanzhong]) were commonly used externally for disinfection in ancient prevention while CHM tonifying Qi (Astragali Radix [Huangq], Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma [Gancao]) are used for modern prevention. Taking CHM that expel pathogens (Realgar [Xionghuang], Lonicerae Japonicae Flos[Jinyinhua]) and CHM eliminating dampness (Atractylodis Rhizoma [Cangzhu], Pogostemonis Herba[Guanghuoxiang]) have been commonly used from ancient times to COVID-19. Damp toxins are a common characteristic of infectious diseases such as SARS and COVID-19. Thus, taking CHM expelling damp toxins and tonifying Qi are the main methods for SARS and COVID-19 prevention. CHM with different approaches have been widely used in infectious disease prevention from ancient times to the present. Multiple CM prevention methods may provide new perspectives for future pandemics.

On the Spread of Five Nonnative Ferns in Georgia

Compared to most other groups of vascular plants, ferns have been neglected with respect to the potential for nonnative species to invade native plant communities and displace native species. Targeted collecting in the Piedmont of northeast Georgia uncovered five nonnative ferns that represent range extensions or provide clear confirmation of naturalization. Examination of herbarium specimens from Georgia revealed that some earlier records, as well as some overlooked records, were based on misidentifications. The species involved (Cyrtomium fortunei, Deparia petersenii, Dryopteris erythrosora, Macrothelypteris torresiana, and Pteris multifida) are all introductions from temperate regions in East Asia and represent escapes from cultivation. Study of Georgia collections held in herbaria from throughout the Southeast allowed determination of the first appearance and subsequent range expansion of the five species over time. These data and information about mating systems, ploidy level, and ecological requirements of each species allowed inferences to be made about their probable spread in the future, including effects of climate change.

Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution in Soil and Its Bioaccumulation by Dominant Plants in a Lead-Zinc Mining Area, Nanjing

To identify plants with potential application in phytoremediation, the concentration of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in soil and 14 dominant plants sampled from a lead-zinc mining area in Nanjing City was measured. Furthermore, the heavy metal contamination of soil, and bioaccumulation and translocation of the 6 heavy metals by the 14 plants were evaluated. The results showed that the principal contaminants were Cd, Mn, Zn, and Pb, and their single factor pollution index was 45.71, 11.68, 10.40, and 4.46, respectively. Furthermore, the Nemerow index of this area was 33.45, which indicated that the mining area was severely polluted. All the 14 dominant plant species were metal-tolerant, although the concentration of metal varied between different spices. Among them, Pteris multifida and Trachelospermum jasminoides significantly accumulated the heavy metals. The concentration of Zn in all the dominant plants was beyond the normal range; however, the bio-concentration factor (BCF) of only Digitaria sanguinalis for Zn was>1, while the BCF of the remaining species for the 6 heavy metals was<1. Furthermore, the heavy metal bio-transfer factor (BTF) of the 14 species was generally high. The BTF of Helianthus tuberosus and Dendranthema indicum for the 6 heavy metals was>1. According to the mechanism of heavy metal accumulation, the 14 plant species were classified into 3 types:accumulators (H. tuberosus, D. indicum, Phytolacca americana, Justicia procumbens, D. sanguinalis, Sonchus brachyotus, Solanum nigrum, and Setaria viridis), root compartment (P. multifida and T. jasminoides), and excluders (Solidago decurrens, Duchesnea indica, Carex breviculmis, and Cyrtomium fortunei).

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Cyrtomium fortunei (Dryopteridaceae), an important medical fern

The complete chloroplast genome of an important medical fern Cyrtomium fortunei has been sequenced. Its genome is 151,699 bp in length with a pair of inverted repeats (IRs, 23,875 bp), separated by a small single copy region (SSC, 21,625 bp) and a large single copy region (LSC, 82,324 bp). It contains 132 genes, covering 88 protein coding genes, 35 tRNA genes, eight rRNA genes, and one pseudogene. Maximum likelihood analysis indicates that the phylogenetic tree is monophyletic with three clades. Cyrtomium fortunei is closely related to C. devexiscapulae, which further forms a sister clade to C. falcatum.

無配生殖をおこなうヤブソテツ類(オシダ科)にみられる遺伝的多様性とその獲得メカニズムの解明(学位論文紹介)

無配生殖をおこなうヤブソテツ類(オシダ科)にみられる遺伝的多様性とその獲得メカニズムの解明(学位論文紹介)

면마과 3종 메탄올 추출물 및 분획물의 α-Glucosidase 억제 활성

This study was performed to select adequate plant materials for developing a natural α-glucosidase inhibitor by analyzing α-glucosidase inhibition activity in fronds and rhizomes of three Dryopteridaceae species: Cyrtomium fortunei, Polystichum polyblepharum, and P. lepidocaulon. The highest α-glucosidase inhibitor obtained from frond of P. lepidocaulon (4.16㎍ · mL^-1), and rhizome of C. fortunei (1.84㎍ · mL^-1), showed much higher inhibition activity than acarbose (1413.70㎍ · mL^-1). The biomass required to inhibit α-glucosidase by 50% was 0.04 ~ 0.35㎎ for frond and 0.03 ~ 0.10㎎ for rhizome, and P. lepidocaulon required the least amount of fronds and P. lepidocaulon the least rhizomes. In frond, α-glucosidase inhibition activity was the highest in water fraction of C. fortunei (20.2㎍ · mL^-1), and n-butanol fraction of P. lepidocaulon (9.33㎍ · mL^-1) and P. polyblepharum (5.10㎍ · mL^-1). In rhizome, it was the highest in n-butanol fractions of C. fortunei (19.76㎍ · mL^-1) and P. polyblepharum (4.47㎍ · mL^-1), and ethylacetate fraction of P. lepidocaulon (5.46㎍ · mL^-1). The frond biomass required for 50% α-glucosidase inhibition was the lowest in the water fraction of C. fortunei (1.43㎎), and n-butanol fractions of P. lepidocaulon (1.10㎎) and P. polyblepharum (0.66㎎). The required biomass of rhizome was the lowest in the water fraction of C. fortunei (1.59㎎), and n-hexane fractions of P. lepidocaulon (0.04㎎) and P. polyblepharum (0.15㎎). The result of this study suggested that the three Dryopteridaceae species had high α-glucosidase inhibition activity with small biomass, which might have high value as materials for economical anti-diabetic medication.

Inhibitory effects of Cyrtomium fortunei J. Smith root extract on melanogenesis

Background:Recently, a great deal of attention has been directed toward the use of crude extracts from natural products for cosmetic applications. Thus, we performed a series of experiments to investigate skin depigmenting properties of a crude extract that was derived from a traditional Korean medicinal plant.Materials and Methods:In this study, the depigmentational potency of Cyrtomium fortunei J. Smith was investigated. The inhibitory effects of the root of Cyrtomium fortunei J. Smith extract on melanin production were evaluated by assessing its tyrosinase inhibitory effects, melanin production-inhibitory properties in melan-a cells and depigmenting ability in brown guinea pig skin.Results:The methanolic extract of the root of Cyrtomium fortunei J. Smith appeared to inhibit tyrosinase activity and melanin production in melan-a cells. In addition, this extract exhibited depigmenting ability on Ultra violet-induced hyper pigmentation in brown guinea pig skin.Conclusion:These results suggested that root of Cyrtomium fortunei J. Smith might prove useful in treating skin hyperpigmentation associated with excess sun-exposure.

창원시 주요지역의 식물상 및 보전관리방안

The vascular plants of major sites in Changwon-si were listed 456 taxa (9.3% of all 4,881 taxa of vascular plants); 112 families, 293 genera, 371 species, 2 subspecies, 66 varieties and 17 forms. The vascular plants of Changwon-cheon were listed 133 taxa, Junam reservoir were listed 90 taxa, Seongju-sa were listed 293 taxa, and Yungji park were listed 164 taxa. Divided into 456 taxa; woody plants were 160 taxa (35.1%) and herbaceous plants were 296 taxa (64.9%). Furthermore, therophytes (Th) were 111 taxa (24.3%), hemicryptophytes (H) were 75 taxa (16.4%), megaphanerophytes (MM) were 63 taxa (13.8%) showed high proportional ratio in life form. Based on the list of rare plants by the Korea Forest Service and Korea National Arboretum, 10 taxa (1.8% of all 571 taxa of rare plants); Aristolochia contorta (LC), Euryale ferox (VU), Melothrua japonica (LC), Utricularia pilosa (CR), Hydrocharis dubia (LC), Carex idzuroei (DD), Acorus calamus var. angustatus (LC), etc. Based on the list of endemic plants by the Korea National Arboretum, 10 taxa (3.0% of all 328 taxa of endemic plants); Salix pseudolasiogyne, Philadelphus incanus, Indigofera koreana, Lespedeza <TEX>${\times}$</TEX> maritima, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Weigela subsessilis, Carex okamotoi, etc. Based on the list of specific plants by floral region were total 43 taxa (4.0% of all 1,071 taxa of specific plants); 4 taxa (Euryale ferox, Hydrocharis dubia, Carex idzuroei, etc.) in class IV, 9 taxa (Ilex crenata, Acer palmatum, Stewartia pseudocamellia, Melothria japonica, Fatsia japonica, etc.) in class III, 3 taxa (Caltha palustris var. membranacea, Nymphoides indica, etc.) in class II, 26 taxa (Cyrtomium fortunei, Chloranthus japonicus, Quercus variabilis, Ulmus parvifolia, Aphananthe aspera, etc.) in class I. Based on the list of naturalized plants, 48 taxa (Rumex crispus, Chenopodium album var. album, Amaranthus patulus, Phytolacca american, Brassica juncea var. integrifolia, Potentilla paradoxa, Robinia pseudoacacia, Euphorbia maculata, Oenothera odorata, Cuscuta pentagona, Veronica persica, Plantago lanceolata, Diodia teres, Helianthus tuberosus, Dactylis glomerata, etc.), naturalization rate was 10.5% of all 456 taxa of vascular plants and urbanization index was 15.0% of all 321 taxa of naturalized plants. Ecosystem disturbing wild plants were 3 taxa (Rumex acetocella, Solanum carolinense, Ambrosia artemisiifolia).

Evidence of genetic segregation in the apogamous fern species Cyrtomium fortunei (Dryopteridaceae)

In apogamous ferns, all offspring from a parent are expected to be clonal. However, apogamous 'species' frequently demonstrate a large amount of morphological and genetic variations. Cyrtomium fortunei composed of four varieties (C. fortunei var. fortunei, var. clivicola, var. intermedium, and var. atropunctatum), is all reported to be apogamous triploids, but demonstrates large and continuous morphological variation. In previous studies, we showed that considerable genetic diversity was observed in many local populations of the apogamous fern 'species'. We hypothesized that genetic segregation has occurred, because neither sexual type nor intraspecific polyploidy have been observed in C. fortunei in Japan. Of 732 progeny examined (250 gametophytes and 482 sporophytes), obtained from a parental sporophyte whose pgiC genotype was estimated as aab, 11 (4.4%) gametophytes and 8 (1.7%) sporophytes showed a different genotype (aaa) from that of the parent sporophyte. We showed that genetic segregation occurs in apogamous C. fortunei in relatively high frequency. Moreover, we could first show that the segregation frequency in gametophytes is significantly higher than that in sporophytes of the next generation (χ² = 4.90, P = 0.027). It may suggest the existence of deleterious genes, which are expressed during the morphogenesis and growth of sporophytes.

Recognition Among Three Kinds of Pteridophyte Plants Based on Fourier Transform Infrared-Discrete Wavelet Feature Extraction and Artificial Neural Network Classification Method

Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) and horizontal attenuated total reflectance(HATR) techniques were used to obtain the FT-IR of three kinds of pteridophyte plants(the root of Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm,Dryopteris championii(Bench) C.Chr.apud Ching and Dryopteris varia(L.) O.Ktze.).The similar features of FT-IR among the root of Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm,Dryopteris championii(Bench) C.Chr.apud Ching and Dryopteris varia(L.) O.Ktze.were extracted by discrete wavelet transform.The scale 4 and 5 were used to extract the feature vectors,which were used to train the artificial neural network(ANN).The trained neural network was used to classify the root of Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm,Dryopteris championii(Bench) C.Chr.apud Ching and Dryopteris varia(L.) O.Ktze.,which were collected from different places.According to 240 prediction samples,we could effectively identify the root of Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm,Dryopteris championii(Bench) C.Chr.apud Ching and Dryopteris varia(L.) O.Ktze.by FT-IR with discrete wavelet feature extraction and artificial neural network classification.

Kentucky A Record of Cyrtomium fortunei J. Sm. in Kentucky with Comments on the Spread of this Exotic Species in the Southeastern United States

Cyrtomium fortunei J.Sm. (DRYOPTERIDACEAE)—Hart County: UTM UPS 16S 0590378 4121842 at an elevation of approximately 174 meters, on Western Kentucky University’s Upper Green River Biological Preserve, growing along the Green River in colluvium at the base of a small (approximately 4–5 m), north-facing Mississippian limestone bluff from the St. Genevieve Formation, as well as growing from soil deposits on the outcrop itself, September 15, 2009, Hulsey 28598 (WKU). Significance. This is a new record for Kentucky and a northward extension of the range of this species in the eastern United States (Campbell and Medley pers. comm., Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993, Jones 2005, Medley 1993). We found four plants of Cyrtomium fortunei with both fertile and non-fertile fronds. Riverfront hardwoods, particularly Acer negundo L., dominated the forest community at the base of the bluff. The forest community found on the bluff was dominated by Acer saccharum Marshall., Heuchera villosa Michx. var. macrorhiza (Small) Rosend., Butters & Lakela, Adiantum pedatum L., Maianthemum racemosum Link, and Sedum ternatum Michx. were common herbs on the rock outcrop. The ferns in the colluvium at the base of the bluff were flooded during a 50-year flood event in spring 2010, but the ferns on the bluff escaped inundation. Cyrtomium fortunei is native to southern Japan and southeast China west to Yunnan, Sichuan, and Shaanxi provinces and has been cultivated in the United States since 1866 (Christensen 1930). In the United States, Cyrtomium fortunei has been found naturalized and as an escape in Louisiana and Mississippi (Landry et al. 1979), South Carolina (MacDougal 1976), Georgia (Duncan and Blake 1965), Oregon (Flora of North America Editorial Committee 1993), and Tennessee (D. Estes pers. comm.). Because this species has continued to spread throughout the southeastern United States, it will be important to watch this species and how it responds to a changing climate. Should Cyrtomium fortunei become invasive, this range extension may have conservation implications in the future.

Antimony accumulation and antioxidative responses in four fern plants

Antimony (Sb) toxicity and contamination has become a growing concern in recent years. Remediation of Sb contamination using plants may be an effective approach. This study aimed to investigate the potential of antimony (Sb) tolerance and accumulation by plants, as well as to understand the antioxidative responses to Sb. One set of hydroponic trials was set up using four species of fern plants, including Pteris cretica (PCA), Microlepia hancei (MH), Cyrtomium fortunei (CYF) and Cyclosorus dentatus (CYD). Ferns were grown for 2 weeks in nutrient solution containing a medium (5 mg L−1) and a high (20 mg L−1) rate of Sb, with no Sb added as the control. The biomass of fern PCA remained constant with Sb addition, whereas the biomass of ferns CYF, MH and CYD at the high Sb rate exposure decreased by 12.5%, 35.0% and 38.3%, respectively as compared with their controls. This suggests a high to low Sb tolerance order for these four fern plants. For all of these fern plants, more Sb was accumulated in the roots than in the fronds. Antimony concentration in the roots at the high rate of Sb addition was recorded, on average, as 358 mg kg−1 for fern PCA, 224 mg kg−1 for fern CYF, 124 mg kg−1 for fern CYD and 123 mg kg−1 for fern MH. A high rate of addition of Sb increased the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) by 41.3% and 171.6% for ferns MH and CYD, respectively, as compared with their controls. No changes for MDA contents were observed in ferns PCA and CYF with Sb addition, indicating no lipid peroxidation reaction in these two plants. At a medium rate of Sb addition, the activities of peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase in fern PCA were much higher than those in ferns CYF, CYD and MH, demonstrating the important role of these three enzymes in resisting Sb toxicity. The consistency in unchanged biomass, high accumulation of Sb in roots, lower MDA contents, as well as high enzyme production in fronds, indicated that fern PCA was more tolerant to Sb than the other three fern plants. Antioxidative enzymes (peroxidase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) might be involved in Sb toxicity resistance of fern PCA.

Identification of Dryopteris crassirhizoma and the Adulterant Species Based on cpDNA rbcL and Translated Amino Acid Sequences

Dry rhizome of Dryopteris crassirhizoma Nakai (Dryopteridaceae), also known as Guan Zhong, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine used in the treatment of viral disease. But the dry rhizomes of Woodwardia JAPONICA (L. f.) Sm., OSMUNDA JAPONICA Thunb. and Cyrtomium fortunei J. Sm. are also used as Guan Zhong in local areas. The adulterants are similar to Dryopteris crassirhizoma. It is difficult to identify the botanical origin of these herbs. In our study, sequences of the cpDNA RBCL gene were determined and analyzed for Dryopteris crassirhizoma and adulterant species, where nineteen molecular markers had been determined. Also, amino acid sequences translated from the RBCL gene were analyzed and four important molecular markers were detected. Based on cpDNA RBCL and translated amino acid sequences, Dryopteris crassirhizoma can easily be distinguished from the other three fern species.

In vitroscreening of traditionally used medicinal plants in China against Enteroviruses

To search for new antiviral agents from traditional Chinese medicine, specifically anti-enteroviruses agents. The aqueous extracts (AE) of more than 100 traditionally used medicinal plants in China were evaluated for their in vitro anti-Coxsackie virus B3 activities with a MTT-based colorimetric assay. The test for AE of 16 plants exhibited anti-Coxsackie virus B3 activities at different magnitudes of potency. They can inhibit three steps (inactivation, adsorption and replication) during the infection. Among the 16 plants, Sargentodoxa cuneata (Oliv.) Rehd. et Wils., Sophora tonkinensis Gapnep., Paeonia veitchii Lynch, Spatholobus suberectus Dunn. and Cyrtomium fortunei J. sm. also have activity against other enterovirus, including Coxsackie virus B5, Polio virus I, Echo virus 9 and Echo virus 29. Cell cytotoxic assay demonstrated that all tested AE had CC50 values higher than their EC50 values. The sixteen traditionally used medicinal plants in China possessed antiviral activity, and some of them merit further investigations.

Screening of the wormicidal Chinese raw drugs on Clonorchis sinensis.

The wormicidal effect on Clonorchis sinensis in boiled water extracts of 223 species (vegetable origin 206, animal origin 10, mineral origin 7) of raw drugs prescribed in Oriental medicine was observed in vitro. The wormicidal substances were detected from 31 of the above-mentioned species. The wormicidal substances extracted from Platycodon grandiflorum (radix), Schizandra chinensis (fruit), Polygala tenuifolia (herb) and Aster tataricus (radix) were most effective. Those from Smilax glabra (radix), Pueraria thunbergiana (flower, radix), Polygala tenuifolia (radix), Scutellaria baicalensis (radix), Prunus mume (fruit), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (radix), Angelica koreana (radix), Phytolacca esculenta (radix) and Cyrtomium fortunei (rhizoma) were effective. The rest of the raw drugs were less effective.

Cyrtomium fortunei in Louisiana and Mississippi

On September 2, 1978, we observed a few plants of Cyrtomium fortunei J. Smith in the labyrinth of ravines of the Tunica Hills region 2 miles northwest of Weyanoke, in West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana (Israel in 1979, LSU). A second population of approximately 80 plants was discovered on September 10, about three miles from the first location in deep ravines on Ouida Irondale Road 4 miles east from La-66 (Landry 78574, LSU, MICH). During the exploration of ravines on September 17 in Wilkinson County, Mississippi, which is due north of West Feliciana Parish, a single plant of C. fortunei was observed growing at a waterfall on Clark Creek, north of the settlement of Pond (Landry 78593, LSU). Following these discoveries, we found that C. fortunei had been collected by Dr. R. Dale Thomas, 3 miles North of Tunica, Louisiana in October, 1974 (Thomas 42096, NLU, LSU). The collection was identified by Dr. A. Murray Evans. The discovery of this fern represents a new addition to the presently known floras of Louisiana (Thieret, 1972) and Mississippi (Evans, 1978). Cyrtomium fortunei is characterized by a short, erect rhizome covered with dark, lanceolate to ovate, acuminate scales. The fronds are pinnate with 23 or more pairs of lanceolate, dull green pinnae having a prominent, darkened midvein. Cyrtomium fortunei is easily recognized by its papyraceous fronds and minutely serrate pinnae, as opposed to the commonly cultivated C. falcatum Presl, which has coriaceous fronds with entire, glossy pinnae. Nearly all stages of reproduction were observed in the populations of C. fortunei. The largest plants were 75-90 cm high and had all fertile fronds. But plants 30 cm or less high also had some fertile fronds. Profuse reproduction was evident from the large number of sporelings having two or three fronds. The largest plants were predominantly on the upper sides of the ravines, whereas the smallest were confined to the ravine bottoms. The Tunica Hills region is characterized by hills with loess deposits ranging from 1 to 60 m thick. Elevations in the area vary from 60 to more than 90 m above sea level. The hills are highly eroded by streams, and form narrow ridge tops with correspondingly steep to vertical slopes ending in ravines. The vegetation is classified as a mixed mesophytic forest association modified by Magnolia and other subtropical broadleaf species. In all locations, the associated species were Magnolia grandiflora, Fagus grandifolia, Ilex opaca, Cornusflorida, and Arundinaria gigantea. Other pteridophytes observed include Adiantum pedatum, Cystopteris fragilis, Athyrium pycnocarpon, A. thelypteroides, Polystichum acrostichoides, and Equisetum hyemale.

Naturalization of Cyrtomium fortunei in North America

Naturalization of Cyrtomium fortunei in North America