Microgramma megalophylla is a species of epiphytic fern in the family Polypodiaceae. It is native to tropical South America and is notable for its mutualistic association with ants, classifying it as a myrmecophyte.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Division: Polypodiophyta
- Class: Polypodiopsida
- Order: Polypodiales
- Suborder: Polypodiineae
- Family: Polypodiaceae
- Genus: Microgramma
- Species: M. megalophylla
The species was originally described by Nicaise Auguste Desvaux and later transferred to the genus Microgramma by de la Sota. It has a number of synonyms, including Anapeltis megalophylla, Polypodium megalophyllum, and Pleopeltis schomburgkiana among others【2†L1-L9】.
Description
Microgramma megalophylla is an epiphytic fern that grows on tree trunks and branches in rainforest understories. The fronds are typically large and leathery, giving the species its epithet “megalophylla” (large‑leafed). The rhizomes are complanate (flattened) and produce specialized hollow structures called domatia.
Distribution and Habitat
The fern occurs throughout the lowland tropical rainforests of the Amazon basin, with confirmed records in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, and Peru. It thrives in humid, shaded environments where it can attach to host trees without requiring soil.
Ecology
Microgramma megalophylla is a myrmecophyte, meaning it forms a symbiotic relationship with ants. The domatia in its rhizomes provide shelter for ant colonies, while the ants protect the fern from herbivores and may contribute nutrients through their waste products. This ant‑fern association has been documented in several studies of the species’ ecology【2†L11-L13】.
References
- “Microgramma megalophylla.” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microgramma_megalophylla (accessed April 2026).
- Almeida, Thaís Elias (April 2018). “Ant‑Fern Association in Microgramma megalophylla.” American Fern Journal 108 (2): 62–64. doi:10.1640/0002‑8444‑108.2.62.
This entry summarizes current, verifiable information about the fern species Microgramma megalophylla and does not include speculative content.