Nephrolepis Cordifolia Research Articles

Nutrient Analysis of <i>Nephrolepsis cordifolia</i> (L.) C. Presl

Fresh and roasted tubers of Nephrolepis cordifolia are consumed by the local dwellers in Nepal. Different parts of plant have been chemically analyzed for their nutritional contents viz., chlorophyll, carbohydrate, crude protein, starch, moisture contents, dry matter, ether extract, crude fibre, total ash, calcium and phosphorus. It is observed that tubers contain high amount of moisture, fat, carbohydrate and calcium while the protein are reported maximum in rhizome part of the plant. Key words: Nephrolepis cordifolia; nutrient analysis; protein; carbohydrate. DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v4i1.2885 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.4, No.1, September 2008, pp 68-72

Note on the Occurrence of Ophioglossum crotalophoroides Walt. in Louisiana

When the tuber germinates, leaves of the mature shape and roots are produced, usually from the growing end (Pl. 6, figs. 5, 6, 7). Even if a considerable portion of the end is cut off (P1. 6, fig. 8) juvenile leaves are not formed by the new plant. Runners are produced at an early stage, from which a number of plants may originate (Fig. 9). Under favorable conditions of culture only about a year is required for growing a mature plant. Since Nephrolepis cordifolia produces tubers and runners in great abundance, its chances for success in nature are much greater than those ferns which lack such propagules.

Reproduction in Nephrolepis cordifolia

Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Presl is a native of the West Indies and is found as an escape from cultivation in this country only in the state of Florida. It is similar in many respects to the common Boston fern (N. exaltata var. bostoniensis). It differs in two respects: the more nearly erect position of the leaves and the fronds (PI. 6, fig. 1), and in the formation of tubers (Pl. 6, fig. 2) by means of which the plant may be reproduced. Propagules of this nature are formed in only a few other ferns, but are, no doubt, familiar to most readers of the Journal. The reproduction of the fern has been studied by the writer for several years and will be briefly described. As in all other ferns which belong to the Polypodiaceae, the fronds of N. cordifolia bear numerous spores from each of which upon germination is produced the sexual phase or the gametophyte generation, the small heartshaped prothallium familiar to every one interested in ferns. As is well known, the prothallium bears on its under surface the sex-organs (antheridia and archegonia) which produce the gametes, the sperms and the eggs. After fertilization, the asexual phase, or sporophyte generation is formed. About three years later, the plant, thus formed, reaches maturity, when it produces

Sand Hill Ferns of Henderson County, Texas

thedrifolia Spring (no. 131). At the very top of Sopea Mountain in a slight depression in the sandstone grew a remarkable clone of Nephrolepis cordifolia (L.) Presl (no. 110), with the fronds all stiffly upright and oriented in ranks with almost military precision. The second mountain explored lies near the French Guinea frontier and rises to a height of over four thousand feet. It is called Billi Mountain or Bobei Moun-

An Overlooked North American Fern

Hooker called this very peculiar species of Polypodium (sect. Drynaria, Fee, but probably a Microgramma of Presl). It does have more resemblance to Microgramma than to anything else, and this may be its affinity, but the rather fleshy, herbaceous texture, and the laxly and irregularly anastomosing veins, and the paucity of included veinlets make it seem unreasonable to include it in that genus. The tubers are remarkable; but I would not regard them as by themselves justifying generic distinction for the species, no more than do those of Nephrolepis cordifolia.