This filmy fern stands out in the forest floor because of its brilliant, metallic blue-green leaves. The wonderful colors are a product of iridescence, which is an optical phenomenon found in only a handful of fern species. To learn more about this exciting topic, see Chapter 18: “Iridescent ferns and their shady behavior” of the book “A Natural History of Ferns” (Moran 2004).
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- T. elegans – habit1
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- T. elegans – habit2
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- T. elegans – habit3
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- T. elegans – habit4
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- T. elegans – abaxial1
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- T. elegans – abaxial2
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- T. elegans – adaxial1
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- T. elegans – adaxial2
Collection Data (F.B. Matos 246)
Classification & Common Names
- Class: Polypodiopsida
- Family: Hymenophyllaceae
- Genus: Trichomanes L.
- Species: Trichomanes elegans Rich.
- Var./Subsp.:
- Common name(s): Iridescent filmy fern
General Collection Data
- Date: 29-I-2005
- Primary Collector & #: F.B. Matos 246
- Collection Party: A.M. Amorim, J.L. Paixão, S.C. Sant'Ana et al.
- Det. History: F.B. Matos, XII.2005
- Habitat: Atlantic Forest
- Habit: Terrestrial
- Specimen Locations: CEPEC, UPCB
Additional Comments
Collection Location
- Location: Serra do Corcovado – – Almadina – Bahia – Brazil.
- Coordinates: -14.705833, -39.603333
- Elevation: 650-750 m
