Alsophila imbricata

Alsophila imbricata, synonym Cyathea imbricata,[1] is a species of tree fern endemic to Western New Guinea, where it grows in open forest at an altitude of 3240 m. The trunk of this plant is erect and approximately 2 m tall. Fronds may be bi- or tripinnate and are usually less than 1 m in length. The stipe is dark, spiny, and covered with caducous scales. These scales are glossy brown in colouration and have a paler margin and fragile edges. Sori are borne in groups of one to four per pinnule lobe. They are protected by firm indusia.[2]

Alsophila imbricata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Alsophila
Species:
A. imbricata
Binomial name
Alsophila imbricata
(Alderw.) R.M.Tryon[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Cyathea imbricata Alderw.

A. imbricata is similar to Alsophila macgregorii and very similar to Alsophila gleichenioides. It differs from the latter only in details of frond morphology. Large and Braggins (2004) note that "it is possible these variations are ecological and that the species should be united".[2]

References
  1. Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Alsophila imbricata". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
  2. Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.


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