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Macrothelypteris torresiana (Gaudich.) Ching
Mariana maiden fern

Macrothelypteris torresiana
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Family: Thelypteridaceae

Group: Pteridophyte

Substrate: Terrestrial

Habit: Herb

Perennation: Perennial

Native Range: Old World tropics; naturalized elsewhere, including the southeastern United States and the West Indies.

Map of select IRC data for peninsular Florida

SOUTH FLORIDA Occurrence: Present

SOUTH FLORIDA Native Status: Not Native, Naturalized

SOUTH FLORIDA Cultivated Status: Assumed to be Cultivated

Other data on Macrothelypteris torresiana available from :

Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants
Macrothelypteris torresiana has been found in the following 4 conservation areas :
Occurrence Native Status
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary Present Not Native, Naturalized
Fern Forest Nature Center Present Not Native, Naturalized
Lake Okeechobee Marshes Present Not Native, Naturalized
Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area Present Not Native, Naturalized

Macrothelypteris torresiana has been found in the following 3 counties :
Occurrence Native Status
Broward County Not Native, Naturalized
Miami-Dade County Not Native, Naturalized
Palm Beach County Not Native, Naturalized

Macrothelypteris torresiana has been found in the following 2 habitats :
Mesic Hammock
Rockland Hammock

All Images:

Macrothelypteris torresiana
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Macrothelypteris torresiana
Copyright by: Connect to Protect Network. A comparison of the vascular bundles between the invasive Mariana maiden fern and the native, endangered Florida tree fern. To view this photo enlarged, click here.