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Pyrrosia longifolia (Burm.f.) C.V. Morton

Family Name:	Polypodiaceae
Synonyms:	Polypodium acrostichoides Forst
Common Name:	Suloi, 南洋石韦

Pyrrosia longifolia or Suloi is an epiphytic fern native to Singapore. It has stiff strap-shaped fronds, rigid rhizomes and round sori found near the tips of the fronds on the underside. Scales on the rhizomes are appressed, shiny, dark coloured with a smooth margin.

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Little Water

Moderate Water

Occasional Misting

Native to Singapore

Ornamental Leaves

Shallow Media

Ferns and Lycophytes

Epiphyte

Herbaceous Plant

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) (Fern)
Plant Growth Form	Epiphyte, Herbaceous Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	1 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	South China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Monsoon Forest, Coastal Forest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a epiphytic fern with long creeping, slender rhizomes and elongated fronds.
Foliage	The fronds are monomorphic, thick, stiff, strap-shaped, gradually narrowing on both ends, 10 - 110 cm long and up to 0.7 - 4.5 cm wide.
Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant	The sori are round, found near the tips of the fronds on the underside.

Others - Plant Morphology	The rhizomes are long-creeping, about 1.8- 2.7 mm wide, covered in scales. Scales are appressed, round, shiny brown to blackish coloured with a smooth margin measuring 1 - 3.4 mm long and 0.6 - 1.5 mm wide.
Habitat	Occurs in various types of forest commonly as an epiphyte, in disturbed or open situations and in the littoral zone of mangroves, from sea level to 1000m in altitude.
Similar	Pyrrosia longifolia is similar to Pyrrosia lanceolata. The key differences are Pyrrosia longifolia have rigid rhizomes, smooth margins and monomorhpic, stiff fronds while the latter have flexibile rhizomes, scales with hairs on the margins and dimorphic fronds.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by spores.
Etymology	Greek pyrros, flame-coloured; Latin longifolia, long leaves, referring to the long fronds of the plant

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water, Little Water, Occasional Misting
Plant Growth Rate	Fast to Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Shallow Media
Propagation Method	Spore

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Leathery

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Linear)
Foliar Margin	Entire

References

References	Hovenkamp, P.H. (1998). Pyrrosia. In: Hovenkamp, P.H. (ed.) Flora Malesiana, ser. 2, Pteridophytes, vol. 3, pp. 163 - 164. Leiden: Rijksherbarium. Tagawa, M. & Iwatsuki, K. (1985). Flora of Thailand. vol. 3(4), pp. 486-500. Bangkok: The Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.