Adiantum papilio

A small, tufted maidenhair with black rachises and butterfly-shaped pinnae, described in 2014 from the limestone tsingy of northern Madagascar. It grows in rock crevices, sometimes in full sun, and curls up completely in the long dry season, then revives with the rains.

At home, aim for

Day Warm-growingTargets in Plantistry

Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry

Humidity Ordinary room humidityBand in Plantistry

Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry

Expects a seasonal restGrows on rock (lithophyte)

Where it grows wild

Rupicolous in crevices of limestone rock and tsingy (Montagne des Français, Ankarana, Bemaraha). Collectors note it grows even on very sun-exposed rock, as tufts a few cm to 30 cm tall depending on exposure.

Recorded at 100-400 m (median 180 m).

Madagascar

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates

✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it

✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light

✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it

✓ Substrate and airflow

✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.