Alsophila imbricata

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

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]

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. Vol. 8. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-08-28.
2. Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p.  145. ISBN   978-0-88192-630-9.