Ant Ferns
Ant Ferns (Myrmecophilous Ferns)
Symbiotic relationships between ferns and ants have evolved independently several times and represent a striking example of convergent evolution. Most myrmecophilous ferns are epiphytes of tropical rainforests, providing ants with protected nesting sites in specialized rhizomes or modified fronds. In return, the ferns benefit from nutrients derived from organic material deposited by the ants, an important resource in the nutrient-poor environment of the forest canopy.
The fern genus most highly specialized for this lifestyle is Lecanopteris, whose rhizomes—except in Lecanopteris mirabilis—develop internal cavities inhabited by ants. Within Microgramma, myrmecophily has also evolved, particularly in the four species formerly placed in the genus Solanopteris, which possess swollen rhizomes, as well as in Microgramma megalophylla, which is regularly inhabited by ants despite lacking swollen rhizomes. Myrmecophily has evolved independently in Platycerium as well: P. ridleyi and P. madagascariense develop cavities within their shield fronds that serve as nesting sites for ants.
Although ant ferns represent only a small fraction of global fern diversity, they demonstrate that close symbiotic relationships with ants have evolved independently in several distinct fern lineages.
Lecanopteris balgooyi
Antfern. Lecanopteris balgooyi rhizomes are covered with very few scales only. In addition, they carry interestingly looking spines. Very interesting and rare in collections. With their strangely shaped hollow rhizomes they look very bizzare! Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants, however.
Lecanopteris carnosa
Antfern. Lecanopteris carnosa rhizomes are not covered by scales or wax. Very interesting and rare in collections. With their strangely shaped hollow rhizomes they look very bizzare! Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants, however.
Lecanopteris celebica
Antfern. Only the youngest portion is green, the older areas, though still alive turn brownish. Very interesting and rare in collections. With their strangely shaped hollow rhizomes they look very bizzare! Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants,
Lecanopteris crustacea
Lecanopteris crustaceaLecanopteris crustacea (L.) C.Presl is an epiphytic fern of the family Polypodiaceae distributed throughout the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and New Guinea. It is one of the best-known ant ferns. Ants inhabit the internal chambers of the swollen rhizome, where they establish their nests and accumulate organic debris that serves as an additional nutrient source for the plant.The species is characterized by its thick, tuberous, irregularly branched rhizome containing numerous internal chambers connected to the exterior by small entrance openings. The rhizome is densely covered with dark brown scales and produces numerous adhesive roots. The large fronds are deeply pinnatifid, with narrow linear-lanceolate pinnae and a prominent midrib. The lower surface of the fertile fronds bears numerous round sori arranged in regular rows on either side of the midrib.
Lecanopteris deparioides
Antfern. Lecanopteris deparioides rhizomes are covered by wax. Very interesting and rare in collections. With their strangely shaped hollow rhizomes they look very bizzare! Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants, however.
Lecanopteris lomarioides (Modayag)
Antfern. The rhizomes are densely covered by scales and form strange upright structures with age. Maybe the most showy of all Lecanopteris species. Very interesting and rare in collections. With their strangely shaped hollow rhizomes they look very bizzare! Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants, however.
Lecanopteris luzonensis
Antfern. Only the youngest portion is green, the older areas, though still alive turn brownish. Similar to L. celebica but much smaller and more gracile. Very interesting and rare in collections. With their strangely shaped hollow rhizomes they look very bizzare! Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants, however.
Lecanopteris luzonensis (dwarf form)
A dwarf form of the well-known species.Only the youngest part is green; the older parts, although still alive, turn brownish. Similar to L. celebica, but much smaller and more delicate. Very interesting and rare in collections. With their strangely shaped hollow rhizomes, they look very bizarre! Lecanopteris species are widespread in Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in nature. In cultivation, however, they grow without any problems without ants.
Lecanopteris pumila
Antfern. The youngest portion of the rhizome is greenis, the older areas, though still alive turn brownish-green. Similar to L. celebica but much smaller and more gracile. Very interesting and rare in collections. With their strangely shaped hollow rhizomes they look very bizzare! Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants, however.
Lecanopteris sinuosa (Missima Isl., PNG)
Ant fern. Simple species. The slender and almost unbranched rhizomes are densely covered with scales. Lecanopteris species are widespread throughout Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes which are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation, however, they grow without ants without any problems.
Lecanopteris sinuosa (Normanby, PNG)
Antfern. Easy species. The slender und almost unbranched rhizomes are densly covered by scales. Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants, however.
Lecanopteris sinuosa (Waigeo, Irian Jaya)
Ant fern. A simple species. The slender and almost unbranched rhizomes are densely covered with scales. Lecanopteris species are found throughout Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes which, in the wild, are inhabited by ants. In cultivation, however, they grow without any problems and without ants.The Waigeo form is smaller than other origins under my growing conditions.
Lecanopteris sinuosa (Wasior, Irian Jaya)
Antfern. Easy species. The slender und almost unbranched rhizomes are densly covered by scales. Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants, however.
Lecanopteris spec. Central Luzon, Philippines
This species is similar to Lecanopteris lomarioides and L. crustacea. However, it has many finely branched rhizomes.
Lecanopteris spec. Toli-Toli (long spines)
At first I thought this species was a form of Lecanopteris spinosa. I now think it is an undescribed new species or a natural hybrid. The leaves resemble those of Lecanopteris spinosa, while the rhizome is more reminiscent of that of L. balgooyi.Very interesting. The plants are extremely decorative and grow very well under highland conditions.
Lecanopteris Tatsuta
A cultivar named after the late fern breedercarlos Tatsuta. However, it is not an officially registered form.
Platycerium holtumii
One of the large species from Southeast Asia and Malaysia. Platycerium holttumii is morphologically very similar to P. wandae, one of the most distinctive characteristics is the lack of frills around the shoot base, which are strongly pronounced in Platycerium wandae. P. wandae also forms kidney-shaped, roundish shield fronds with a large crown. The fertile fronds are multiply lobed and bear the spore patches. In a fertile frond, the main lobe oriented towards the middle hangs down, while the shorter lateral lobe grows stiffly to the side.
Platycerium ridley
One of the most exciting Staghorns of the genus Platycerium. The fertile fronds grow upwards and are very compact, looking like the antlers of deer, from which the German and English trivial name is derived.P. ridley does not form pups and is one of the few members of the genus that forms specialized spore caps rather than spore patches on the underside of fertile fronds like most other species.The shield fronds are rounded and show distinct, raised veins that give the plant a furrowed appearance.Even in the natural range of Malaysia and Indonesia, the species often grows on branches rather than just laterally on tree trunks, even litophytically.These characteristics provide great freedom in positioning when mounting Platycerium ridleyi.
Platycerium wandae
Staghorn fern species from Papua New Guinea. Platycerium wandae forms a mighty crown from the shield fronds and counts as the very largest Platycerium species, even growing about 30% larger than Platycerium superbum. The fertile fronds are similar to those of P. holttumii double-lobed and are said to bear spores especially early in the development of the plant. Special attention is also given to the frills around the shoot center.
Solanopteris bifrons
The rhizomes are thin and cord-like. Special short shoots branch off at regular intervals and grow into potato-like hollow outgrowths, which serve as nesting sites for the ants. Because of these "potatoes", Solanopteris species are also known as "potato ferns". The tubers have an opening on the underside. The structure is very reminiscent of the leaves of Dischidia major, which have been transformed into nesting structures.Native to South America, this ant fern can be found in the lowlands.The rhizome is covered with short, bristle-like outgrowths and is whitish-grey in colour. The fronds are divided, which gives the plants an extremely attractive appearance.The domatia of S. bifrons shimmer slightly metallic due to their micro-structures, are olive-green in colour and about the size of a walnut.The plants are supplied in different portion sizes.
Solanopteris bismarckii
The rhizomes are thin and cord-like. At regular intervals, special short shoots branch off and grow into potato-like hollow growths, which serve as nesting sites for ants. Because of these "potatoes", Solanopteris species are also known as "potato ferns". The tubers have an opening on the underside. The structure is very reminiscent of the leaves of Dischidia major, which have been converted into nesting structures. Solanopteris bismarckii occurs in Ecuador and Peru at medium altitudes. The shoots are greenish and scaly, and the leaves are undivided.The domatia of S. bismarckii have several conspicuous spiny outgrowths, giving them a morning star-like appearance.
Auction 2026-012 – Lecanopteris mirabilis (Halmahera, Moluccas)
You are bidding on the plant shown in the first picture. Please note the information (in red).Ant fern. The only Lecanopteris species without hollow rhizomes. The rhizomes form flat, cup-like structures that cover the branches. Ants live beneath these cups. A very beautiful species. Very interesting and rare in collections. This marvellous form is characterised by the way it grows along the branches of trees covered in vegetation. Whilst other forms of Lecanopteris mirabilis repeatedly form shell-like segments, thereby interrupting their growth somewhat, this form can grow along a branch for long stretches without interruption, completely enveloping it!Please note! We cultivate this form exclusively on cork-covered branches. For orders from outside the EU, the plants must be removed from the branch for phytosanitary reasons and dispatched without the cork. Any damage that may occur during this procedure does not constitute grounds for a complaint.
Lecanopteris balgooyi (old clone)
Antfern. Lecanopteris balgooyi rhizomes are covered with very few scales only. In addition, they carry interestingly looking spines. Very interesting and rare in collections. With their strangely shaped hollow rhizomes they look very bizzare! Lecanopteris species are spread over Indonesia and Malaysia. They form hollow rhizomes that are inhabited by ants in the wild. In cultivation they easily grow without ants, however.
Lecanopteris crustacea (Giant form)
Lecanopteris crustaceaLecanopteris crustacea (L.) C.Presl is an epiphytic fern of the family Polypodiaceae distributed throughout the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and New Guinea. It is one of the best-known ant ferns. Ants inhabit the internal chambers of the swollen rhizome, where they establish their nests and accumulate organic debris that serves as an additional nutrient source for the plant.The species is characterized by its thick, tuberous, irregularly branched rhizome containing numerous internal chambers connected to the exterior by small entrance openings. The rhizome is densely covered with dark brown scales and produces numerous adhesive roots. The large fronds are deeply pinnatifid, with narrow linear-lanceolate pinnae and a prominent midrib. The lower surface of the fertile fronds bears numerous round sori arranged in regular rows on either side of the midrib.This form is characterised by the striking golden scales, the size and the much stockier growth compared to the normal form. While the finger-shaped rhizome sections of the normal form break off very easily, even forming predetermined breaking points, this form is much more stableand highly recommended!