Lecanopteris sinuosa is myrmecophyte or “ant-plant”. Ants reside in a hollow chamber within the rhizome, seen here in the cross section photographs. The relationship is often described as mutualistic because it benefits both the ants and the plant. The plant provides a secure nest site for the ants. The ants provide the plant with protection from herbivores. Their discarded refuse which accumulates in older parts of the rhizome also act as fertilizer for the plant. Lecanopteris sinuosa is a lowland species found throughout Malesia. I found this individual plant on an old palm frond which fell out of the canopy that day after an intnese rainstorm.
Collection Data (S. A. James & M. Sundue 1617)
Classification & Common Names
- Class: Polypodiopsida
- Family: Polypodiaceae
- Genus: Lecanopteris Reinwardt
- Species: Lecanopteris sinuosa (Wall. ex Hook.) Copel.
- Var./Subsp.:
- Common name(s):
General Collection Data
- Date: 8-II-2013
- Primary Collector & #: S. A. James & M. Sundue 1617
- Collection Party: Shelley James, Michael Sundue, Allen Allison, Si He, Dubi Damas, Bulisa Iova, Oliver Tallowin
- Det. History: M. Sundue
- Habitat: Primary Forest
- Habit: Epiphyte
- Specimen Locations: BISH, LAE, VT
Additional Comments
Collection Location
- Location: Sibium Mtns. – – – Northern Province – Papua New Guinea.
- Coordinates: 9°18.2797’S, 148°16.3596’E
- Elevation: 800 m
