Taxonomy

Division:

Pteridophyta | - Ferns

Family:

Polypodiaceae

Genus:

Elaphoglossum

Species:

Elaphoglossum metallicum

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Epiphyte, Forb/herb

Height:

45 cm

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Garden & Ecology Notes

Minimum Light:

Shade

Best Light:

Part Shade, Shade

Habitat:

Cloud forest, Montane, Epiphytic

Ecology:

An epiphytic or lithophytic fern of Andean montane wet forests and cloud forests, known for its iridescent blue-green metallic sheen adapted to capture low light in shaded understories.

Soil Requirements

Soil:

humus-rich

pH:

acidic

Drainage:

moist

Moisture:

moist

Notes:

Grows primarily as an epiphyte on mossy tree trunks or as a terrestrial plant in thick, humus-rich organic matter and decaying leaf litter.