Danaea kalevala
Angiopteris evecta
Danaea kalevala is large fern from the tropical rainforests of the Lesser Antilles. The fern is rare in the wild although more common in southern Guadeloupe.For most of the other islands the plants are only known from old collections.
Danaea kalevala has impressive 1.5m long arching leaves and a trunk-like, creeping, fleshy rhizome that is covered in round, scaly stipules.
Danaea are very long-lived ferns, they can be several centuries old.
They do not like disturbance of their habitat though, and the plants die after the forest that provides shade and protection is cut down.
Danaea kalevala was recently described and named after kalevala, the heroic epic of Finland.
This species is considered endangered as it cannot be cultivated, because the requirements of Danaea ferns are unknown and is rare in the wild.
Species detail
Danaea kalevala are large ferns up to 2m tall distantly resembling a small palm with arching leaves and enormous rhizomes.
The massive rhizomes are a distinguishing feature that
- are creeping, dorsiventral
- has several rows of leaves arranged almost radially but the roots only on the ventral side,
- are 30cm long, 10cm high, 10-16cm wide at apex when fresh,
- 6-10cm wide when dry
-
Taxonomy
Find out about similar looking species to Danaea kalevala and how it can be distinguished from these. Learn about the evolution of Danaea kalevala.
-
Distribution and ecology
Discover where Danaea kalevala is known from and the types of habitat it is found in. Learn about population trends for the species and the type of soil it grows in.
-
Biology
Learn about the size and growth patterns of Danaea kalevala. Find out the lifecycle and life expectancy of this long-living fern. Discover how it reporduces and its means of dispersal.
-
Conservation
Find out the conservation status of this species and discover the threats facing its survival.
-
References
Get reference material for Danaea kalevala.
Images
Angiopteris evecta
Angiopteris evecta
Angiopteris evecta
Angiopteris evecta
Equisetum myriochaetum the giant horsetail.
Angiopteris evecta
Angiopteris evecta
Angiopteris evecta
Danaea kalevala
Equisetum myriochaetum the giant horsetail.
Author
Dr Maarten Christenhusz
Department of Botany
Toolbox
Share this
The Kalevala
The Kalevala is a book and epic poem which Elias Lönnrot compiled from Finnish and Karelian folklore in the nineteenth century. Kalevala is considered the national epic of Finland and is traditionally thought of as one of the most significant works of Finnish literature.