Cyathea | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Division: | Polypodiophyta |
Class: | Polypodiopsida |
Order: | Cyatheales |
Family: | Cyatheaceae |
Genus: | Cyathea J. E. Smith, 1793 |
Species | |
See text. | |
Synonyms [3] | |
List
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Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales.
The genus name Cyathea is derived from the Greek kyatheion, meaning "little cup", and refers to the cup-shaped sori on the underside of the fronds.
The species of Cyathea are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk.[ citation needed ]
The genus has a pantropical distribution, with over 470 species. They grow in habitats ranging from tropical rain forests to temperate woodlands.[ citation needed ]
Conant et al. in 1996, concluded on molecular cpDNA and morphological evidence that a system of three clades – Alsophila, Cyathea and Sphaeropteris was the most accurate reflection of evolutionary lineages within the Cyatheaceae, Alsophila being the most basal and Cyathea and Sphaeropteris derived sister groups. [4] In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), these are accepted as separate genera, Alsophila , Cyathea and Sphaeropteris . [5] CnemidariaPresl, 1836 is a junior synonym or redundant subset. [6] [7]
As of July 2021 [update] , World Ferns (Version 12.3) accepted the following species: [8]
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