Alsophila acanthophora

Alsophila acanthophora, synonym Cyathea acanthophora, is a species of tree fern endemic to Kinabalu National Park in Borneo, where it grows in montane rain forest at an altitude of 1250–2000 m. The trunk is erect and can grow as tall as 5 m or higher. Fronds are 2–3 m in length and bi- or tripinnate. The stipe is dark towards the base and has slender spines. It is covered with scattered scales, which are glossy brown and have a narrow paler margin. Sori occur near the midvein of fertile pinnules. They are covered in thin, fragile indusia, which resemble small saucers.[2]

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

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Alsophila acanthophora". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Vol. 8. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
  2. ^ Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. pp. 87–88. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.