Ant Fern Species ‘Lecanopteris Celebica’ ‘Starter’

In its natural setting, Lecanopteris celebica has a mutually dependent or symbiotic relationship with different types of ants. Plants derive nutritional benefit from food sources that ants bring into the rhizome in return for shelter. However, when cultivated as a house plant, Lecanopteris celebica does not need ants. While a plant is still young, its rhizome is solid (without cavities), but as it matures, openings start to form, creating a hollow internal space that can be used by ants. In the wild, Lecanopteris celebica grows on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. This type of ant fern is an epiphyte meaning it grows on other plants, usually trees. Lecanopteris celebica does not produce flowers but like other types of fern, reproduces by means of spores which form on the undersides of its leaves. The plants supplied by Araflora are of a manageable size.