Sunday, September 25, 2011

May Diliman pa ba sa Diliman?

Diliman fern on a lattice.
Other ferns in collection
Did you know that Diliman in Quezon City was named after a fern? I only found out about it a few years ago. I always thought that Diliman was named because it always rains there, always getting too cloudy. But I was corrected as the place where U.P. stands is named after Stenochalena palustris, a climbing fern once abundant in the area.  But Diliman, the district, being too developed, I am not anymore expecting to see a wild diliman fern growing in its vicinity.

The leaf fronds
But this afternoon I went to a private garden in Quezon city and rediscovered the diliman fern.  Fern man Anthony Arbias, who was with us, identified the species.  The specimen was healthy and growing profusely on a lattice trellis in one quiet corner.  It is not a wild specimen but nevertheless, it was the original diliman growing in South Triangle, Diliman. So there is indeed still some diliman ferns in Diliman district!  

5 comments:

mujacko2002 said...

I love this article. I love ferns.

Unknown said...

It's gorgeous! I collect ferns too, especially local ones and enjoy promoting it. Today, I learned something new again, thanks!

metscaper said...

Wow. Happy fern collecting.

win said...

dat kind of fern is also abundant in cagayan valley,we cooked it as "dinengdeng" dish mixed with other vegetable leaves.,

Unknown said...

Hello! I would like to correct you with the fern's scientific name; it's Stenochlaena palustris