Taipei’s mountain-friendly trails boast a rich variety of ferns — from large tree ferns to small ones like round-leaved spleenworts and bladder ferns. Despite their size differences, they all sprout adorable lollipop-shaped buds that slowly unfurl into leaves, creating a truly unique sight.
The Taipei City Government’s Department of Urban Development notes that the Xiangshan Trail in Xinyi District, accessible from the Lingyun Temple entrance, leads through mid-mountain paths to Yongchun Pavilion. Here, visitors can find a significant number of Hainan-born terrestrial ferns, whose terminal pinnae produce adventitious buds. These buds fall to the ground and grow into new plants. Along the Shiruyuan section, the rocky walls are densely covered with small ferns, including types of resurrection ferns and short-stipe ovate-saccate ferns.
The Xianjiyin Rock Trail in Wenshan District is home to nearly 50 fern species. Starting from the archway entrance on Lane 243, Jinxing Road, the forest floor features small-scaled ferns, dense-scaled small-scaled ferns, and southern scale ferns. In the crevices of stone walls and on earthen slopes, you’ll find short-stipe ovate-saccate ferns, resurrection ferns, and elliptic thread ferns. Near the Xianyan Temple, a longan tree coexists harmoniously with bladder ferns, rhizoma bamboo ferns, and horsetail ferns.
Meanwhile, the Cuishan Trail in Shilin District is dominated by bracken, along with the elegant heart-shaped buds of king ferns. As for the wooded area connecting the Bixi Trail and the Datou Mountain Trail, it’s almost entirely covered with dark-leaved ghost cycads.
Additionally, the Egret Mountain Trail in Neihu District hosts a dense fern community, primarily featuring leatherleaf ferns. Their bright red spore-bearing fronds and spore-laden undersides have a texture reminiscent of sandpaper.