Aglaomorpha is a genus of ferns in the subfamily Drynarioideae of the family Polypodiaceae.[1] The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I) uses this genus name,[1] while other sources use Drynaria to include Aglaomorpha.[2] Species are commonly known as basket ferns. As circumscribed in PPG I, the genus contains around 50 species.[1]
Basket ferns are epiphytic or epipetric and are native to tropical Africa, South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Oceania. Some species are economically important as medicinal plants.
Basket ferns are characterized by the presence of two types of fronds, fertile foliage fronds and sterile nest fronds. The dark green foliage fronds are large, 2–4 feet (0.61–1.22 m) long, with elongated stalks. They are deeply lobed or pinnate, winged, and bear sori (structures producing and containing spores) on the bottom surfaces.
The nest fronds are smaller rounded leaves basal to the foliage fronds. They do not bear sori and are persistent, not being shed after turning brown and dying. They form a characteristic ‘basket’ that collect litter and organic debris, hence the common name.[3] The collected debris decompose into humus, providing the plants with nutrients it would otherwise not have received from being suspended above the ground.[4][5]
Both frond types grow from rhizomes typically anchored to a tree or a rock.[6][7] The rhizomes of basket ferns are creeping and densely covered in brown scales.
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