Lecanopteris

Lecanopteris is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I).^[1] They have swollen hollow rhizomes that provide homes for symbiotic ants. All are epiphytic plants that naturally occur from Southeast Asia to New Guinea.^[2][3] Several species are in commerce,^[4] being grown as houseplants and greenhouse curiosities.

Lecanopteris
Lecanopteris curtisii
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Suborder:	Polypodiineae
Family:	Polypodiaceae
Subfamily:	Microsoroideae
Genus:	Lecanopteris Reinw.
Species
See text.

Taxonomy

Phylogeny

The monophyletic genus Lecanopteris has been divided into two sub-genera, Lecanopteris and Myrmecopteris. All the species have rhizomes associated with ants. Subgenus Lecanopteris was monophyletic, and Myrmecopteris was paraphyletic.^[2][3] A 2019 molecular phylogenetic study suggested that the genus was related to three other clades, treated as genera, related as shown in the following cladogram.^[5]

Lecanopteris s.l.	Bosmania Dendroconche Zealandia Lecanopteris s.s.

As of February 2020^[update], the Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World recognizes the segregate genera; other sources do not.

Species

The rhizome of Lecanopteris mirabilis

As of February 2020^[update], the Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World recognized the following species in Lecanopteris s.s.^[6]

• Lecanopteris balgooyi Hennipman
• Lecanopteris carnosa (Reinw.) Blume
• Lecanopteris celebica Hennipman
• Lecanopteris crustacea Copel.
• Lecanopteris darnaedii Hennipman
• Lecanopteris deparioides (Ces.) Baker
• Lecanopteris holttumii Hennipman
• Lecanopteris luzonensis Hennipman
• Lecanopteris mirabilis Copel.
• Lecanopteris pumila Blume
• Lecanopteris sarcopus (Teijsm. & Binn.) Copel.
• Lecanopteris sinuosa (Wall. ex Hook.) Copel.
• Lecanopteris spinosa Jermy & T.Walker