Macrothelypteris torresiana

Macrothelypteris torresiana

Apparently Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Blechnales
Family: Thelypteridaceae
Genus: Macrothelypteris
Species: M. torresiana
Binomial name
Macrothelypteris torresiana
(Gaudich.)
Synonyms

Macrothelypteris torresiana is a species of fern which is native to tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia. It has been introduced into other areas, including large parts of North and South America.[1][2]

The species is assigned to different genera depending on how the family Thelypteridaceae is classified. If the entire family is classified in Thelypteris, it is Thelypteris torresiana. However, molecular data shows an affinity between a group of species which are sometimes classified in Macrothelypteris, Phegopteris, and allied genera,[3] so it is common to remove this species from Thelypteris and classify it as Macrothelypteris torresiana.

M. torresiana contains flavanoids which have been investigated for possible medicinal value.[4]

References

  1. Macrothelypteris torresiana (Gaudich.) Ching, GRIN taxonomy for plants, accessed September 26, 2011
  2. Macrothelypteris torresiana (Gaudichaud Beaupré) Ching, Flora of North America
  3. Smith, Alan R.; Cranfill, Raymond B. (2002), "Intrafamilial Relationships of the Thelypteroid Ferns (Thelypteridaceae)", American Fern Journal, 92 (2): 131, doi:10.1640/0002-8444(2002)092[0131:IROTTF]2.0.CO;2
  4. Fang, W; Ruan, J; Cai, Y; Wei, A; Zhou, D; Zhang, W (2011), "Flavonoids from the aerial parts of Macrothelypteris torresiana", Natural product research, 25 (1): 36–9, doi:10.1080/14786411003766888, PMID 21240759
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 3/22/2013. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.