Lecanopteris
Lecanopteris
Lecanopteris Reinw. ex Blume is a genus of epiphytic ferns in the family Polypodiaceae. Approximately 10 species are currently recognized, distributed from Thailand and Malaysia through Indonesia and the Philippines to New Guinea. The plants grow predominantly as epiphytes in humid lowland and montane rainforests.
The genus is characterized by its thickened, creeping rhizomes. With the exception of Lecanopteris mirabilis, all species develop internal cavities within the rhizomes that serve as nesting sites for ants. The ants deposit organic material inside the rhizomes, thereby contributing to the nutrient supply of the plants, while benefiting from the protected nesting space provided by the ferns.
The species differ mainly in the shape and division of their fronds, as well as in the size and form of their rhizomes. The close association with ants makes Lecanopteris one of the fern genera most highly specialized for myrmecophily.
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.
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!
Lecanopteris curtisii
Antfern. The rhizomes are covered by a blue-green waxy layer. No scales. 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 curtisii (Sumatra)
Lecanopteris curtisii. Collection from Sumatra
Lecanopteris darnaedii
Super rare in cultivation. A fascinating highland species from Sulawesi.
Lecanopteris holttumii
Super rare in cultivation. A fascinating highland species from Sulawesi.
Lecanopteris lomarioides
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.