Alsophila insulana

Alsophila insulana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Alsophila
Species:
A. insulana
Binomial name
Alsophila insulana
(Holttum) R.M.Tryon[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Cyathea insulana Holttum

Alsophila insulana, synonym Cyathea insulana,[1] is a species of tree fern native to New Guinea, where it grows in mossy forest and ravines at an altitude of 750–1600 m. The trunk of this species is erect, 8–10 m tall, and 14 cm in diameter. Fronds may be bi- or tripinnate and approximately 3 m in length. They form a spreading crown. The stipe bears thick spines as well as scales. These scales are either small, pale brown, with a short fringe, or large and glossy brown, with fragile edges. Sori are borne near the fertile pinnule midvein. They are protected by thin, pale indusia.[2]

The specific epithet insulana, from Latin insula meaning "island", refers to New Guinea.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Alsophila insulana". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Vol. 8. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-08-26.
  2. ^ a b Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.


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