Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
tro
Year:
1767
Citation Micro:
Mant. Pl. : 130 (1767)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001107406
Common Names
- Pteris cretica
- Cretan Brake Fern
- Ladder Brake Fern
Description
Pteris cretica (also called Cretan brake, among many other common names) is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae. It is a small to medium-sized fern, with a creeping rhizome and fronds up to 30 cm long. It is native to the Mediterranean region and parts of the Middle East, and it grows in rocky habitats.
Uses & Benefits
Pteris cretica is used as an ornamental plant and as a food source. It is also used in traditional medicine for treating skin diseases and as an antiseptic.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Pteris cretica sub. laeta (Ettingsh.) Fraser-Jenk.
Pteris cretica sub. cretica
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Pteris cretica has small, yellowish-green flowers that are clustered together in groups of three. The seeds are small and black in color. The seedlings have a single, oval-shaped cotyledon and a single root.
Where to Find Pteris cretica
Pteris cretica is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It is found in moist forests, grasslands, and along riverbanks.
Species in the Pteris genus
Species in the Pteridaceae family