Lecanopteris carnosa

Lecanopteris carnosa originates from North Sulawesi (Indonesia). In this species, the rhizome is "naked" (free of scales and without a waxy coating) but armed with numerous stiff "hairs." The fresh rhizome is green and later turns black. The black parts are not dead!

As with all "ant ferns" of the genus Lecanotperis , except for L. mirabilis , the rhizome is thickened and hollow inside. The cavity serves as a nest for ants. The entrances to the rhizome are located at the ends of the lateral branches. The rhizome branches out and creeps up a tree (or other surface) tightly pressed against the substrate.

The fronds are simple in structure and grow to about 40 to 50 cm in length. When they are mature and form sporangia, these are carried in conspicuous pouches on the edge of the fronds, which then bend over and look like small teacups.

One of the few ant plants that can also be kept as a houseplant after an acclimatization period.



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Lecanopteris are so-called "ant plants" from the polypody fern family (Polypodiaceae). They are widespread from Southeast Asia to Australia and from Papua to New Caledonia, and usually grow epiphytically on trees. They belong to the myrmecodomen ant plants, meaning they provide nesting sites for ants. Their thickened rhizome is riddled with numerous tunnels and chambers inhabited by specialized ants, mostly from the genus Philidris . The ants do not create the chambers or the entrances themselves; these are formed solely by the plant, regardless of whether ants are present or not.

The plant has a mutualistic relationship (both sides benefit) with the ants living in it. The ants protect the plant and their nest, and fertilize it with leftover food, droppings, and other waste.

Over many years, the colonies of ants and ant-attracting plants spread across a tree, and other epiphytes associated with ants, such as Hoya , Dischidia , and orchids, also join them. A so-called " ant garden " is created.

Not every ant-inhabited plant is actually inhabited by ants in nature. In fact, there are numerous species where ants have never been detected! This also means that no ant-inhabited plant necessarily needs an ant colony to survive or thrive. All of our cultivated ant-inhabited plants are, of course, ant-free! The rhizome develops exactly the same way as it does in nature, even without ants.



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You will receive a well-rooted cutting in a 9 cm orchid pot. It should be repotted or mounted!