A31 🌺LAUA’E FERN (Phymatosorus scolopendria) Polypodiaceae familyÂ
A tropical fern that was introduced to Hawai’i in the early 20th century and has become naturalized on all the main islands. 🌺Laua’e means “sweet-smelling fern.”
- Long, lobed leaves with wart-like bumps on the upper surface, caused by the spores on the underside
- Can grow on the ground, on rocks, or on tree trunks, forming a dense cover
- Musky scent that resembles the maile vine, a native Hawaiian plant used for making lei