a
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Fig. 6 a,b. Typical habitats of types A and B of Asplenium nidus. a Type A usually growing
on lower sections of tree trunks in deep shade; b Type B usually growing on higher sections
of tree trunks in open to half-shaded places
However, some intermediate forms also exist, such as the plants shown in Fig.
5a (an intermediate form between A and B) and Fig. 5b (intermediate between B
and C). Thus, it is difficult to recognize these three rbcL types only by leaf morphology, although we must examine their anatomical features carefully.
3.4 Ecological Habitats
There are differences in the ecological preferences of types A and B in Mt. Halimun
National Park, although these two rbcL types grow together at 1000-1250 malt.
The type A grows on relatively low sections (1-6 m high from the ground) of tree
trunks where it is deeply shaded (Fig. 6a). In contrast, the type B grows on higher
sections of tree trunks where it is more open, or only half shaded (Fig. 6b). This
habitat differentiation between the types A and B was more obvious when they
grew on the same tree trunks. For example on one tree trunk, six individuals of the
type A were identified up to about 6 m high, and over 6 m high, only the type B
plants were epiphytic (Fig. 7).
The type C was not observed mixed with the type B, and very seldom with the
type A. The type C usually grows separately at higher elevations over 1140.-1700 m
alt. It prefers tree trunks in even more shaded forests on drier ridges than the type
b