Fauna
Plant

Dragon-Scale Fern

Pyrrosia piloselloides

Also known as Coin Fern, Dollar Fern, Pappus Felt Fern

Dragon-scale ferns creep along the trunks and branches of tropical host trees, forming dense shingles of rounded sterile fronds that resemble reptile scales or overlapping coins. Narrow, elongated fertile fronds rise above these flat mats, bearing linear bands of spore capsules protected by microscopic star-shaped hairs. Specialized succulent fronds and thick rhizome scales allow this tough epiphyte to endure intermittent canopy droughts by storing moisture directly in its tissues.

EpiphyticTropicalSpore-Bearing
Dragon-Scale Fern reference1 / 7
(c) Caleb Catto, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthesis and canopy nutrients
Predators
  • Herbivorous insects
  • Gastropods
ThreatsCanopy disturbance, logging, and extreme forest fires
HabitatsTropical rainforests, mangroves, coastal forests, and orchard trees
Life spanPerennial (indefinite vegetative spread)
Classification
  1. FamilyPolypodiaceae
  2. SpeciesPyrrosia piloselloides
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Canopy Scanning: Look closely at mossy lower trunks and forks of older trees in humid parks or forests.
  • Inspect the Fronds: Check for the distinct contrast between tiny, round sterile leaves and long fertile fronds.
  • Gentle Observation: Avoid tugging the creeping rhizomes, which can damage their fragile grip on host bark.
Related species
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