Tropical Plant Database - Plant Details

Microlepia strigosa is a terrestrial fern that can reach 3' in height (approx. 70cm) and 6' in width. The fronds of the Lace Fern are small delicate and lacy in appearance and have an arching growth habit. A charming fern, with glossy, dark green, slightly hairy pinnate fronds forming symmetrical rosettes. Old fronds lay flat on the ground when new fronds, pushing out from crown, form a narrow circle of bronzy tomentose leaves with pendant tips in late winter.
Very nice when used with early blooming azaleas, which bloom when the new fronds are produced. Also good in containers. One of the most formal ferns.

In Hawaii, the Palapalai ferns were used by ancient Hawaiians to decorate hula alters to Laka, the hula goddess. Today the ferns are a favorite to use for lei making and can appear alone or in combination with other flowers.

(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)

Lace Fern is native to the Asia-Pacific region right through the Tropics to the temperate climates, from North India to Japan and Polynesia.
The Palapalai fern can be found growing in the more shady and wet areas of Big Island of Hawaii. You can find Palapalai growing all over, but excellent examples can be found up in the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, in the wetter areas of the park.

We currently have 35 herbarium specimens for Microlepia strigosa in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.

• 065536 - collected by J. Remy in Unknown
• 065408 - collected by J. Remy in Unknown
• 076131 - collected by W. M. Giffard in 1927
• 076130 - collected by W. M. Giffard in 1927
• 056312 - collected by H. S. Mckee in 1971
• 056313 - collected by H. S. Mckee in 1971
• 000460 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
• 000461 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
• 000586 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
• 000585 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
• 000584 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
• 000587 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
• 009237 - collected by Kenneth A. Wilson in 1989
• 055593 - collected by Kenneth A. Wilson in 1991
• 055594 - collected by Kenneth A. Wilson in 1991
• 012925 - collected by Kenneth A. Wilson in 1991
• 012926 - collected by Kenneth A. Wilson in 1991
• 055564 - collected by Kenneth A. Wilson in 1991
• 012455 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1991
• 012458 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1991
• 012457 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1991
• 012456 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1991
• 012991 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1991
• 012990 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1991
• 012989 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1991
• 033121 - collected by Tsui-Ya Liu in 1995
• 038540 - collected by K. R. Wood in 1995
• 051150 - collected by M. Nomura in 2003
• 069216 - collected by Y. Sakai in 2003
• 063065 - collected by Nicole Shores in 2012
• 068994 - collected by K. R. Wood in 2014
• 082372 - collected by K. R. Wood in 2014
• 079425 - collected by Kalli Harshman in 2018
• 093046 - collected by Adam M. Williams in 2023
• Unassigned - collected by Susan Fawcett in 2024