The young leaves of Elaphoglossum paleaceum are provided with a thick coating of amber colored reflective scales. Watkins et al. demonstrated that the reflective scales protect that species against photoinhibition. I suspect the same thing might be going on with Pleopeltis macrolepis, another species that it frequently co-occurs with at the same site and which also has amber colored reflective scales on its leaves.
Watkins Jr, J. E., Kawahara, A. Y., Leicht, S. A., Auld, J. R., Bicksler, A. J., & Kaiser, K. (2006). Fern laminar scales protect against photoinhibition from excess light. American Fern Journal, 96(3), 83-92.
Observation Data
Classification & Common Names
- Class: Polypodiopsida
- Family: Dryopteridaceae
- Genus: Elaphoglossum Schott ex J. Sm.
- Species: Elaphoglossum paleaceum (Hook. & Grev.) Sledge
- Var./Subsp.:
- Common name(s):
General Observation Data
- Date: 9-VII-2016
- Habitat: Oak Forest
- Habit: Terrestrial
Additional Comments
Location
- Location: Cuerici Biological Station – – – Cartago – Costa Rica.
- Coordinates: 9.569822, -83.696028 (estimated from map)
- Elevation: 2800 m
