''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree ferns in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I).

Description

Species of ''Sphaeropteris'' have a treelike habit, usually with a single tall stem, and large fronds to or more in length. The stalk (stipe) of the frond is strawlike or purple in colour, with pale to brown scales. The Sorus, sori (spore-bearing structures) are rounded, with or without Indusium, indusia (covers). ''Sphaeropteris'' is now separated from the other genera in the family Cyatheaceae primarily on the basis of Molecular phylogenetics, molecular phylogenetic studies. However, the scales on the stalks (petioles) provide a morphological distinction. ''Sphaeropteris'' has scales without distinct margins, whereas the other genera have scales with distinct margins.

Taxonomy

The genus ''Sphaeropteris'' was erected by Johann Jakob Bernhardi in 1801. It is placed in the family Cyatheaceae. The division of the family into genera has had a long and controversial history. Three or four clades have been suggested based on Molecular phylogenetics, molecular phylogenetic studies. The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I) accepts three genera, related as shown in the cladogram below. ''Sphaeropteris'' is sister to the remaining members of the family. Older sources, such as the New Zealand Organisms Register , place ''Sphaeropteris'' within a very broadly defined ''Cyathea''.

Phylogeny

, the ''Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World'' accepted the following species:

Distribution and habitat

The native distribution of the genus ''Sphaeropteris'' extends from southern China down through eastern tropical Asia to New Zealand, with a separate area in Central America and north-western South America. Some species are also naturalized in Africa and western Australia. Species of ''Sphaeropteris'' are large plants and require space to grow. They usually prefer less shaded conditions than species of ''Alsophila''. They are found in rain forests and tropical montane forests, often in clearings or on the margins, from the canopy layer down to the Understory, understorey layer. They are also found in ravines, swamps and disturbed areas.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q17166793 Sphaeropteris, Fern genera