Gymnosphaera metteniana

Gymnosphaera metteniana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
Order:	Cyatheales
Family:	Cyatheaceae
Genus:	Gymnosphaera
Species:	G. metteniana
Binomial name
Gymnosphaera metteniana (Hance) Tagawa [1]
Synonyms [1]
Alsophila formosana Baker Alsophila lamprocaulis (Christ) Ching Alsophila metteniana Hance Alsophila metteniana var. subglabra Ching & Q.Xia Aspidium lamprocaulon Christ Cyathea formosana (Baker) Copel. Cyathea lamprocaulis (Christ) Ching Cyathea metteniana (Hance) C.Chr. & Tardieu Dryopteris lamprocaulis (Christ) C.Chr. Gymnosphaera formosana (Baker) Copel. Gymnosphaera lamprocaulis (Christ) Ching ex L.K.Ling Gymnosphaera metteniana var. subglabra (Ching & Q.Xia) Y.K.Yang & J.K.Wu

Gymnosphaera metteniana, synonyms Alsophila metteniana and Cyathea metteniana, is a species of tree fern native to the Ryukyu Islands, Japan, Taiwan, and southern China, ^[2] where it grows in wet forest, forest margins, and on hillsides.

Plant description

The trunk of this plant is erect, up to 1 m tall, and 6–10 cm in diameter. G. metteniana has tripinnate fronds that are 1–2.5 m long. The stipe is brown to purple-black in colouration. It is covered in long, broad-based scales that are usually bicoloured (glossy brown with a paler margin). Sori are round, lack indusia, and occur in two rows, one on either side of the pinnule midvein. ^[3]

Nomenclature

The specific epithet metteniana commemorates pteridologist Georg Heinrich Mettenius (1823-1866), who named several Cyathea species. ^[3]

References

1. Hassler, Michael. "Gymnosphaera metteniana". World Ferns. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
2. "Gymnosphaera metteniana (Hance) Tagawa". Plants of the World Online . Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew . Retrieved 28 December 2023.
3. Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p.  223. ISBN   978-0-88192-630-9.