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Description: Davallia solida is a fern species found growing on the ground or on other plants (i.e., it is both epiphytic, growing on other plants, and epilithic, growing on bare rock). D. solida is a highly variable species, which, among some botanists is subdivided into three varieties: var. solida, var. pyxidata, and var. fejeensis. Generally, this fern species produces a scaly, prostrate, creeping rhizomes (specialized roots) about 9 mm (~0.2 in) thick. Its rhizomes are covered by fine rusty brown hairs. The feathery-like fronds are variable in length and several times pinnate; they are produced on erect stipes (stalks) that are tough but flexible, triangular, pinnately divided 2-4 times, and up to 50 cm (20 inches) long. The specialized foliage dieback of species in the genus Davallia, in particular D. solida and another related fern, are described below:
“The leaves of Davallia are articulated to the rhizome and are deciduous when old. They do not usually fall off at a definite season, but in D. denticulata and D. solida all leaves on a plant drop together, and this is followed rapidly by the growth of new leaves. In strongly seasonal climates the leaves fall as soon as the dry season is well established, and the plants rest in a leafless condition until the next rainy season. In non-seasonal climates plants are never bare of leaves for long. The deciduous habit is of great value for adaptation to seasonal climatic conditions. Environmental conditions such as relative humidity, light intensity, soil moisture content, soil nutrients affect the population density of the fern and the size of leaves. In the rainy season the number of leaves increases. Ferns growing under shade produce bigger leaves but fewer in number compared with those exposed to sunlight. Fertile leaves may occur the whole year round” (see: https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Davallia_(PROSEA).
Distribution: The fern Davallia solida is reportedly native, or at least naturalized, from Malaysia to parts of Eastern Polynesia. It is found growing on trees and on the ground, sometimes in relatively dense stands, but especially as an epiphytic climber up on woody plants. D. solida can be very common growing on plants from mangrove and other coastal forests to upland areas, especially in dry forests near the shore, or on low scrubby vegetation on mountain ridges, often on lava flows and in association with other epiphytic ferns. D. solida has also been widely spread as an ornamental species, even as a houseplant where does not do well outdoors throughout the year.
General Uses: Davallia solida is indeed an eye-catching fern species that has been broadly cultivated as a decorative hanging plant or air plant:
“They are often attractive indoor ornamental plants, grown in pots or in hanging baskets. The leaves are used fresh or dried in floral arrangements. The term “ball ferns” originates from Japan, where the flexible rhizomes of D. trichomanoides are tied into balls and other figures; when these figures are hung and watered, new leaves will subsequently appear on the surfaces, and they become self-contained hanging baskets” (Baltrushes 2006).
The fronds and rhizomes of D. solida are also reportedly used widely as ingredients in medicinal mixtures of local healers in parts of Polynesia (e.g., see Baltrushes 2006 for use of D. solida on a number of tropical Pacific Islands, e.g., in cleansing baths for newborns and for inducing menstruation on Mo’orea in the Society Islands). More generally, the rhizomes of Davallia solida ferns have been used in its native or naturalized range as an herbal tonic to treat osteoporosis, arthralgia and arthritis; and relatively recent research has identified antioxidants in the rhizomes of D. solida (Chen et al. 2008).
Uses in Palau: The fronds of Davallia solida are reportedly used when collecting sea cucumber intestines from harvested marine animals in Palau; in this case, the ocean creatures are placed in a strainer to stop their intestines from straining away or falling out. Sea cucumber intestines are said to be one of the seafood delicacies eaten by Palauans; and the foliage of D. solida ferns are also used in making leis and corsages (Cynthia Chin, personal communication, 2002).
Uses in Yap: According to Okabe, Davallia solida has been used medicinally to treat a sore throat in Yap (see Defilipps 1988).
Uses in the Mariana Islands: According toMoore and McMakin (1979:16). The decorative leaf of the creeping, often epiphytic Davallia solida fern which occurs in coastal to upland forests is “used in floral decorations for fiestas and religious rituals” on Guam, and both the leaves and rhizomes “are a popular ingredient in the combination medicines of local curers” (Moore and McMakin 1979:16; also see McMakin 1978). In their study of traditional use of medicinal plants in the Northern Mariana Islands, Nandwani et al. (2008:326) listed the local name of D. solida as Pugua’ machena, its [main] local habitat in the mountains, and the use of its “leaves” as a cleanser for the urinary tract and for treating a bloated condition.
Uses in Pohnpei: The Pohnpeian name for the Davallia solida fern as “ulung en kieil” needs to be verified (see http://www.comfsm.fm/~dleeling/svp/davallia_solida.html). D. solida is reportedly used in Pohnpei for treating cuts, open wounds and bruises as well as for “mangrove sickness” (Balick et al. 2009). Lee et al. (2010:4,73,129) describe methods of D. solida use and refer to mixtures involving other plant substance collected in Pohnpei for topical medicine and treatment of “Culture-bound” syndromes of illness, as well as providing cautionary comments about hygiene and potential toxix dangers of cafffeic acid, a compound found in Davallia species. Ulung en kieil, the Pohnpeian name of D. solida and/or another native Pohnpeian fern such as Phymatosorus grossus, means “pillow of the black lizard.”
Uses in Kosrae: For references to the common occurrence of the terrestrial and epiphytic Davallia solida fern from near sea level up to near the summits of Kosrae Islands see Maxwell (1982:114-118) and Merlin et al. (1993).