Pyrrosia Piloselloides, also known as Dragon’s Scale Fern is actually a fern. Some website classified Pyrroisia Piloselloides as a tropical parasitic plant. However, according to our National Parks site, they are epiphytes rather than parasitic.
The fronds of this fern are fleshy, roundish and ovalish in shape, and have a smooth surface. They cling tightly to the trunk or the branches of the host, making them look like Dragon’s scale, hence the name Dragon’s scale fern. This is the most familiar fern found on trees around here besides the bird nest ferns.
Fertile fronds have a stalk and are elongated. They are markedly different being very narrow and elongated. The sori runs along the sides of the blade margin.
The Dragon Scale Fern grows best attached to hardscape. Under the right conditions it will grow to eventually cover any hardscape items that it successfully attaches to. They thrive in warm and humid tropical forest environments.
Apparently, this plant has medicinal value. The fronds are pounded and mixed with gypsum to make a poultice for skin rashes.
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