觀音座蓮這個奇特的名字，是因為這種植物碩大的塊莖上，有黑褐色的托葉規則排列，形狀像觀音菩薩的蓮花座。本種原產於蘭嶼、菲律賓，葉片長度可達3公尺，是大型蕨類植物。孢子囊群排列於小羽葉的葉緣兩側，葉柄基部膨大形成葉枕，具有調節水分的功能。葉片光澤油亮，排列整齊、疏密有度，觀賞價值高，適合庭園栽種營造熱帶景觀。

The exotic Chinese name of Palmiform Angiopteris comes from the dark brown stipules arranged regularly on its huge tubers which resemble the lotus seat of Avalokitesvara. Native to Lanyu Island and the Philippines, the large fern’s fronds can grow up to 3 meters long. Sori are arranged on both sides of the margin of small pinnae. The base of petiole is swollen into pulvini to regulate water. With glossy, neatly arranged and dense fronds, the plant is highly ornamental and suitable for planting in a garden to create tropical landscapes.

觀音座蓮屬多年生草本，原產於蘭嶼、菲律賓。大型蕨類；具粗大的球形塊莖，塊莖內富含澱粉，表面佈滿葉足與托葉。幼葉一回羽狀複葉；成熟葉二回羽狀複葉，長可達3~4m；小羽片狹長形，基部膨大形成葉枕。

A perennial herb in the genus Angiopteris, native to Lanyu and the Philippines. A large fern; with thick spherical tubers rich in starch and densely covered with frond scars and stipules. Young fronds pinnately compound; mature fronds bi-pinnately compound, up to 3-4 m in length; small pinnae elongated and base swollen into pulvini.

半日照下可生長良好，喜歡空氣潮濕的環境。如果較乾燥，會影響幼葉的發育，對水分有著較為嚴格的要求。盆土不宜過分潮濕或乾燥。採用孢子繁殖。

It grows well under partial-sun and prefers humid conditions as the young fronds don’t respond well to dry conditions. Soil moisture content is critical for the plant growth; the potting soil can’t be too wet or too dry.

葉片伸展姿態優美，可做為塑造熱帶景觀使用。幼株可盆栽作為觀葉植物，三年生以上之植株可植於蕨類園或水濱、溪澗旁。

Valued for the elegant fronds, it’s often used in a tropical landscape. The plantlet can be a potted foliage plant, and those over three years old can be grown in fern gardens, waterfronts and by the streams.