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Asplenium nidus

L. (1753)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Pteridophyta Class/Clade: Polypodiopsida Order: Polypodiales Family: Aspleniaceae Genus: Asplenium

bird’s-nest fern

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Sori:

Gametophyte:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

Accepted Subtaxa (in Hawai'i) (1)

Asplenium nidus var. plicatum Alderw.

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Bibliography

Name Published In: Sp. Pl.: 1079 (1753)

Other References

Palmer 2003:70 (K, O, Mo, L, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:28 (DESCR); Thomas, Tribble, et al. 2025 (remove Mo, L [re-IDed as A. musifolium], status change from ind to nat)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Asplenium nidus unknown Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. BISH 1867-01-01
2 Asplenium nidus Manoa falls trail. Southeastern Koolau Mountains. Ahupuaa of Waikiki. Secondary lowland wet forest with Falcataria moluccana, Areca spp., Hedychium spp., Eucalyptus robusta, and other exotics. Preserved_Specimen Epiphytic, basket shaped fern. Midrib prominent on upper surface, nearly flattened on lower. After drying, midrib sunken in and appearing flat on upper surface. Sori mostly reaching halfway to leaf margin. Thomas, M.K. 460 Oahu BISH 2022-10-17
3 Asplenium nidus Hanapepe Valley In woods near falls Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 4009 Kauai BISH 1926-06-19
4 Asplenium nidus Ahuimanu. Ahupuaa of Kahaluu. Growing at base of mango tree next to old loʻi walls on the side of Ahuimanu stream. Lowland wet forest area dominated by Ardisia elliptica, Psidium cattleianum, Syzygium malaccense, Terminalia catappa, Oplismenus hirtellus, Miconia crenata, Pandanus tectorius, Christella parasitica, Deparia petersenii, Davallia solids var. feejeensis, and others. Preserved_Specimen Large birds nest fern with long, broad, lanceolate-elliptic leaves. Apex acute, fronds slightly undulating and flexible. Midrib stiff, mostly dark purple-black fading to green distally. Midrib prominent on upper surface, slightly rounded but mostly flat below except for base of frond where thie midrib bulges a bit more. Thomas, M.K. 675 Oahu BISH 2024-06-01
5 Asplenium nidus Hawaii Loa ridge, Southeastern Koolau Mountains. Wooded slope facing Niu. Disturbed mesic forest dominated by Psidium cattleianum, Blechnum appendiculatum, Microsorum grossum, and Schinus terebinthifolius. Also growing with remnant native vegetiation including Diospyros sandwicensis, Carex wahuensis, Carex meyenii, Euphorbia arnottiana, Bidens sandvicensis, Planchonella spathulata, Psydrax odorata, and Asplenium cf. musifolium. Preserved_Specimen Large plant with midrib prominent on upper surface all the way throughout the blade. Forond tip acuminate to acute. Midrib cross section at base equally prominent on top and bottom, but the distal portion prominent only on upper surface when fresh. Corex of midrib a white color. Thomas, M.K. 332 Oahu BISH 2022-04-09
6 Asplenium nidus Ahupuaa of Kaipapau. Northern Koolau mountains. Growing on top of boulder in lowland wet forest dominated by exotic species. Growing with Ardisia elliptica, Schinus terebinthifolius, Psidium cattleianum, Citharexylum, Cyathea cooperi, and others. Preserved_Specimen Large birds nest fern with midrib very prominent on upper surface. Upper part of midrib 2 angled. Thomas, M.K. 981 Oahu BISH 2025-02-04
7 Asplenium nidus Wailupe. Ahupuaa of Waikiki. Southeastern Koolau Mountains. Plants on side of small cliff overlooking stream in lowland secondary mesic forest. Growing with Aleurites mollucana, Psidium cattleianum, Schinus terebinthifolius, Heptaplurum actinophyllum, Furcrea foetida, Christella parasitica, Psydrax odorata, and others. Preserved_Specimen Midrib prominent on uppe surface, mostly flattened on the lower. Thomas, M.K. 922 Oahu BISH 2024-12-12
8 Asplenium nidus 0.25 mi E of Kapoho Crater, Puna on small Metrosideros tree Preserved_Specimen epiphyte St.John, H. 22293 Hawaii BISH 1946-12-22
9 Asplenium nidus Waiohookalo Stream valley Psidium guajava, Syzygium malaccense, Diospyros sandwicensis, Metrosideros, Nestegis, Kalanchoe pinnata, Zingiber zerumbet Preserved_Specimen large nest epiphyte ub treem fronds spreading ~45 deg Lorence, D.H. 5421 Molokai BISH 1967-07-31
10 Asplenium nidus Pauoa. Southern Koolau Mountains Growing in Cinnamon tree on the side of the Pauoa flats trail. Area dominated with Cinnamomum burmanii, Citharexylum caudatum, Ardisia elliptica, and Psidium cattleinaum. Preserved_Specimen Birds nest fern with midrib prominent on upper surface. Mostly flattened below. Sori mostly reaching halfway to frond margin. Thomas, M.K. 568 Oahu BISH 2022-12-25
11 Asplenium nidus Growing on Bishop Museum campus in native garden under Pritchardia palms. Area makai of Hale Ikehu Growing in shade of Loulu palms and Kou trees. Preserved_Specimen Spreading fern witih erect rhizome. Rachis prominent on upper surface and bulgind, mostly flat on undersurface. Sori linear with linear indusia. Thomas, M.K. 407 Oahu BISH 2022-06-10
12 Asplenium nidus Lyon Arboretum Epiphytic on Falcataria moluccana in First Valley loop. Young plants naturalizing on nearby boulders and trees. Preserved_Specimen Fronds long, up to 4 ft long on larger specimens. Midrib prominent on upper surface and slightly prominent on lower surface near the base of the frond. At mid length and more distally, the midrib is rounded and only prominent on the upper surface. Inner cortex of midrib a white, spongey texture. Apex of leaf with distinct mucro, but this feature is variable. Thomas, M.K. 301 Oahu BISH 2022-03-28
13 Asplenium nidus Koolau Mts, Waimano loop trail. Growing in invaded forest next to stream bed. Associates; Microsorum grossum, Hibiscus tiliaceous, Podocarpus macrophyllus, Psidium cattleyanum, Albizia, Pinanga. Preserved_Specimen Individual growing on boulder, fronds spanning approximately 2.5 m from tip to tip. K. Arthur 195 Oahu BISH 2025-10-30
14 Asplenium nidus Ahupuaa of Moanalua. Central Koolau mountains. Growing on top of large boulder under Mangifera indica, Psidium cattleianum, Citharexylum caudatum, and other exotic trees in a lowland mesic/wet forest. Preserved_Specimen Large birds nest fern with midrib prominent on upper surface. Rounded to flat on lower surface. Thomas, M.K. 919 Oahu BISH 2024-11-22
15 Asplenium nidus Ahupuaa Kaipapau. Northern Koolau Mountains. Growing on top of boulder in lowland wet forest dominated by exotic species. Growing with Ardisia elliptica, Schinus terebinthifolius, Psidium cattleianum, Citharexylum, Cyathea cooperi, and others. Preserved_Specimen Large birds nest fern with midrib very prominent on upper surface. Upper part of midrib 2 angled. Thomas, M.K. 981 Oahu BISH 2025-02-04
16 Asplenium nidus Honolulu, Bishop Museum Grounds pot in courtyard Preserved_Specimen Wilson, K.A. 1751 Oahu BISH 1989-07-19
17 Asplenium nidus Ahupuaa of Moanalua. Central Koolau Mountains. Growing on top of large boulder under Mangifera indica, Psidium cattleianum, Citharexylum caudatum, and other exotic trees in a lowland mesic/wet forest. Preserved_Specimen Large birds nest fern with midrib prominent on upper surface. Rounded to flat on lower surface. Thomas, M.K. 919 Oahu BISH 2024-11-22
18 Asplenium nidus Hawaii Loa ridge, Southeastern Koolau Mountains. Wooded slope facing Niu. Disturbed mesic forest dominated by Psidium cattleianum, Blechnum appendiculatum, Microsorum grossum, and Schinus terebinthifolius. Also growing with remnant native vegetiation including Diospyros sandwicensis, Carex wahuensis, Carex meyenii, Euphorbia arnottiana, Bidens sandvicensis, Planchonella spathulata, Psydrax odorata, and Asplenium cf. musifolium. Preserved_Specimen Large plant with midrib prominent on upper surface all the way throughout the blade. Forond tip acuminate to acute. Midrib cross section at base equally prominent on top and bottom, but the distal portion prominent only on upper surface when fresh. Corex of midrib a white color. Thomas, M.K. 332 Oahu BISH 2022-04-09
19 Asplenium nidus Wailupe. Ahupuaa of Waikiki. Southeastern Koolau Mountains. Plants on side of small cliff overlooking stream in lowland secondary mesic forest. Growing with Aleurites mollucana, Psidium cattleianum, Schinus terebinthifolius, Heptaplurum actinophyllum, Furcrea foetida, Christella parasitica, Psydrax odorata, and others. Preserved_Specimen Midrip prominent on upper surface Thomas, M.K. 922 Oahu BISH 2024-12-12
20 Asplenium nidus Hawaii Loa ridge, Southeastern Koolau Mountains. Wooded slope facing Niu. Disturbed mesic forest dominated by Psidium cattleianum, Blechnum appendiculatum, Microsorum grossum, and Schinus terebinthifolius. Also growing with remnant native vegetiation including Diospyros sandwicensis, Carex wahuensis, Carex meyenii, Euphorbia arnottiana, Bidens sandvicensis, Planchonella spathulata, Psydrax odorata, and Asplenium cf. musifolium. Preserved_Specimen Large plant with midrib prominent on upper surface all the way throughout the blade. Forond tip acuminate to acute. Midrib cross section at base equally prominent on top and bottom, but the distal portion prominent only on upper surface when fresh. Corex of midrib a white color. Thomas, M.K. 332 Oahu BISH 2022-04-09
21 Asplenium nidus Ahuimanu. Ahupuaa of Kahaluu. Growing at base of mango tree next to old loʻi walls on the side of Ahuimanu stream. Lowland wet forest area dominated by Ardisia elliptica, Psidium cattleianum, Syzygium malaccense, Terminalia catappa, Oplismenus hirtellus, Miconia crenata, Pandanus tectorius, Christella parasitica, Deparia petersenii, Davallia solids var. feejeensis, and others. Preserved_Specimen Large birds nest fern with long, broad, lanceolate-elliptic leaves. Apex acute, fronds slightly undulating and flexible. Midrib stiff, mostly dark purple-black fading to green distally. Midrib prominent on upper surface, slightly rounded but mostly flat below except for base of frond where thie midrib bulges a bit more. Thomas, M.K. 675 Oahu BISH 2024-06-01
22 Asplenium nidus Nuuanu, near the Pali lookout. Growing in disturbe secondary forest dominated by Bischofia, Cinnamomum, Psidium, and Casuarina. Remnant native elements include Metrosideros tremuloides, M. polymorpha, Acacia koa, Hibiscus punaluuensis, and others. Plant growing on fallen log. Preserved_Specimen Plant nest forming. Leaves lanceolate, midrib prominent on upper surface and round in cross section. Nearly flat on undersurface. This plant is very identical to ones cultivated at Lyon arboretum and around neighborhoods. Thomas, M.K. 267 Oahu BISH 2022-02-21
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