''Dendroconche'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, erected in 2019. , the genus was not accepted by some sources.

Description

Species of ''Dendroconche'' are usually partially epiphytic. They grow from long, creeping

rhizome In botany and dendrology, a rhizome (; , ) is a modified subterranean plant stem that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes are also called creeping rootstalks or just rootstalks. Rhizomes develop from axillary buds and grow hori ...

s that are flattened from top to bottom and bear brown scales. In some species, the rhizome may have cavities. The rhizome produces two kinds of roots: those from the sides grip the surface on which the plant grows; those from underneath enter the substrate. The leaves vary in shape from undivided to deeply divided, and are up to 70 cm long by 40 cm wide. Some species produce leaves of somewhat different shapes. The leaves may or may not have a petiole, which if present is usually winged. The leaf veins are prominent. The sori are round or elongated.

Taxonomy

The division of the subfamily Microsoroideae into genera has long been uncertain. A 2019

molecular phylogenetic Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...

study suggested that there were three

clade A clade (), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. Rather than the English term, ...

s, comprising species previously mainly placed in '' Microsorum'', that were close to ''

Lecanopteris ''Lecanopteris'' is a genus of ferns in the family Polypodiaceae, subfamily Microsoroideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). They have swollen hollow rhizomes that provide homes for symbiotic ants ...

sensu stricto ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular co ...

and distinct from other clades in the subfamily. The authors of the study preferred to set up three extra

monophyletic In cladistics for a group of organisms, monophyly is the condition of being a clade—that is, a group of taxa composed only of a common ancestor (or more precisely an ancestral population) and all of its lineal descendants. Monophyletic gro ...

genera, rather than use a broader circumscription of ''Lecanopteris''. The genera are related as shown in the following cladogram. , the ''Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World'' recognized the segregate genera, including ''Dendroconche''. Other sources did not; ''

Plants of the World Online Plants of the World Online (POWO) is an online database published by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It was launched in March 2017 with the ultimate aim being "to enable users to access information on all the world's known seed-bearing plants by ...

'' regarded ''Dendroconche'' as a synonym of '' Microsorum''. The genus name ''Dendroconche'' is Greek-derived, from ''dendron'', meaning 'tree', and ''konchē'', meaning 'shell', apparently referring to the rounded leaves and growth habit of '' Dendroconche annabellae'', the type species.

Species

, the ''Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World'' recognized the following species: *'' Dendroconche ampla'' (F.Muell. ex Benth.) Testo, Sundue & A.R.Field *'' Dendroconche annabellae'' (Forbes) Copel. *'' Dendroconche kingii'' Copel. *'' Dendroconche latilobata'' (Hennipman & Hett.) Testo, Sundue & A.R.Field *'' Dendroconche linguiforme'' (Mett.) Testo, Sundue & A.R.Field *'' Dendroconche sayeri'' (F.Muell. & Baker) Testo, Sundue & A.R.Field *'' Dendroconche scandens'' (G.Forst.) Testo, Sundue & A.R.Field *'' Dendroconche varians'' (Mett.) Testo, Sundue & A.R.Field

Distribution and habitat

''Dendroconche'' species are native to eastern Australia, parts of Indonesia, New Guinea,

New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , map_alt = Location of New Caledonia , map_caption = Location of New Caledonia , mapsize = 290px , subdivision_type = Sovereign st ...

, the Solomon Islands and New Zealand. ''D. linguiforme'' is widespread, and appears to have escaped from cultivation in India. The other species have narrow distributions. Species are found in rain forests at low to middle elevations.

References

{{taxonbar, from1=Q17187705 Polypodiaceae Fern genera