Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: lecanopteris

Family: Polypodiaceae

Distribution: Indonesia

IUCN Red list: Not evaluated

Life form: Epiphytic

Comments: The ferns from the genus Lecanopteris are known as the "ant ferns". In its natural habitat in the forests of South East Asia, it forms a symbiotic relationship with ants which create nests in its hollow rhizomes while the ants protect the fern from herbivores. Plants which form mutualistic relationships with ants are known as myrmecophytes. Other examples that can be found in the Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden include Hydnophytums and Dischidias.