Cyclosorus hudsonianus
Genus
Cyclosorus
Species
hudsonianus
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Laukahi
Hawaiian Names
- Laukahi
Common Names
- Hudson's air fern
- Hudson's maiden fern
Synonyms
- Pneumatopteris hudsoniana
Distribution Status
Endemic
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Spreading
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Fern/Fern-like, Tall, Greater than 3
Mature Size, Width
Laukahi is known to have a 4-foot spread.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
- Ground Cover
Plant Produces Flowers
No
Plant texture
- Coarse
Additional Plant Texture Information
The fronds grow to about 60 inches long.
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
This fern is prone to ants, spider mites, mealy bugs and scale.
Fertilizer
A 13-13-13 slow release fertilizer with minor elements is beneficial every six months for plants in pots. For larger potted ferns showing poor color or not producing crosiers (fiddleheads or emerging fronds), use a complete fertilizer at half the recommended strength. Do not till solid fertilizers into soil because ferns have a shallow root system. [1]
Pruning Information
Trim spent fronds for a clean landscape appearance.
Water Requirements
- Moist
Additional Water Information
Laukahi prefers moist conditions but can tolerate wet conditions.
Light Conditions
- Partial sun
- Shade
Additional Lighting Information
Laukahi prefers partial shade but can tolerate full shade.
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- Less than 150, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- Less than 150, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 150 to 1000, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 150 to 1000, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Additional Habitat Information
This endemic fern is common locally in mesic to wet forests on all major islands from 65 to about 2,500 feet.
Special Features and Information
General Information
Laukahi is a member of the Marsh Fern family or Thelypteridaceae.
Etymology
The generic name Cyclosorus refers to the round sori (Greek kyklos, circle + soros, heap) or spores located under the fronds. [2]
The specific epithet hudsonianus is named for Navy Capt. William Leverreth Hudson (1794-1862), commander of the Peacock, one of the U.S. Exploring Expeditions (1838-1842).
Early Hawaiian Use
No known use.
Additional References
[1] Kay Lynch, Lāʻau Hawaiʻi
[2] Taxonomic changes in Hawaiian ferns and lycophytes. Records of the Hawaii Biological Survey for 2009–2010, page 15.
PHOTOS FOR THIS SPECIES CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK (Copy & Paste to your browser):
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