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Alsophila (plant)
''Alsophila'' is a genus of tree ferns in the family Cyatheaceae. It has also been considered to be a section in the subgenus '' Cyathea'' of the genus ''Cyathea''. Description Species of ''Alsophila'' have a treelike growth habit, with an erect trunk that rarely branches, or sometimes a more shrublike habit, with a creeping stem. Their fronds are large, with a strawlike stalk (stipe), dark brown or black in colour. Brown or dark brown scales are present, with distinct margins. The blade (lamina) of the frond is divided one to three times (one- to three-pinnate). The sori (spore-producing structures) are rounded and borne on smaller veins on the lower surface of the frond. An indusium (a covering to the sori) may or may not be present; if present initially, it may be lost as the frond ages. ''Alsophila'' is now separated from the other genera in the family Cyatheaceae primarily on the basis of molecular phylogenetic studies. The scales on the stalks (petioles) provide a mor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alsophila Capensis
''Gymnosphaera capensis'', Synonym (taxonomy), synonyms ''Alsophila capensis'' and ''Cyathea capensis'', (known as the "forest tree fern") is a regionally widespread and highly variable species of Cyatheales, tree fern. It is indigenous to Southern Africa (subsp. ''capensis'') and South America (subsp. ''polypodioides''). Description Both subspecies of ''Gymnosphaera capensis'' have a slender, erect Caudex, trunk that is up to tall (occasionally even ) and about 15 cm in diameter. The fronds are tripinnate, born on long Stipe (botany), stipes (stalks), and 2–3 m in length. The main stem of the leaf (rachis) is smooth to slightly warty and covered in scale (zoology), scales that range from tan to brown or dark brown. The frond stalks are covered with dark brown or black scales. The smallest leaflets (Pinnation, pinnae) have toothed (serrated) margins. The lowest pinnation, pinnae may be separated from the others along the rachis and form a clump around the crown, s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
