''Sphaeropteris'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial n ...

tree fern The tree ferns are arborescent (tree-like) ferns that grow with a trunk elevating the fronds above ground level, making them trees. Many extant tree ferns are members of the order Cyatheales, to which belong the families Cyatheaceae (scaly tre ...

in the family

Cyatheaceae The Cyatheaceae are a family of ferns, the scaly tree ferns, one of eight families in the order Cyatheales in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Alternatively, the family may defined much more broadly (Cyatheaceae ' ...

. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''

Cyathea ''Cyathea'' is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales. The genus name ''Cyathea'' is derived from the Greek ''kyatheion'', meaning "little cup", and refers to the cup-shaped sori on the underside of the fronds. D ...

'', but is accepted in the

Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group, or PPG, is an informal international group of systematic botanists who collaborate to establish a consensus on the classification of pteridophytes (lycophytes and ferns) that reflects knowledge about plant relatio ...

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 sori (spore-bearing structures) are rounded, with or without indusia (covers). ''Sphaeropteris'' is now separated from the other genera in the family Cyatheaceae primarily on the basis of

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 ...

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

. The division of the family into genera has had a long and controversial history. Three or four clades have been suggested based on

studies. The

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''.

Species

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

Sphaeropteris aciculosa ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of Cyatheales, tree fern 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 S ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris aeneifolia ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 '' ...

'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris agatheti'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris albidosquamata ''Alsophila albidosquamata'', synonyms ''Cyathea albidosquamata'' and ''Sphaeropteris albidosquamata'', is a species of tree fern native to the Maluku Islands, New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, where it grows in rain forest and montane ...

'' (Rosenst.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris albifrons ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Vieill. ex E. Fourn.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris albosetacea ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Bedd.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris angustipinna'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris aramaganensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Kaneh.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris arthropoda ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris assimilis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Hook.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris atrospinosa ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris atrox ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (C.Chr.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris auriculifera ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris binuangensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris brackenridgei ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris brunei ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Christ) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris brunoniana ''Sphaeropteris brunoniana'', synonym ''Cyathea brunoniana'', is a fern in the family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). T ...

'' (Wall. ex Hook.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris capitata ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of Cyatheales, tree fern 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 S ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris carrii'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris cooperi'' (F.Muell.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris cuatrecasasii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris curranii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris discophora ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris elliptica ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris elmeri ''Sphaeropteris elmeri'', synonym ''Cyathea elmeri'', is a species of tree fern native to the Philippines, Talaud Islands, and northern Sulawesi, where it grows in forest at an altitude of 500–1400 m. The trunk of this plant is erect and 5– ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris excelsa ''Sphaeropteris excelsa'', synonym ''Cyathea brownii'', commonly known as the Norfolk tree fern or smooth tree fern, is probably the largest fern species in the world. It is endemic to Norfolk Island, in the Pacific Ocean near Australia and New ...

'' (Endl.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris feani ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (E.D.Br.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris felina'' (Roxb.) Pic. Serm. *'' Sphaeropteris fugax'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris fusca ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris gardneri ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Hook.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris glauca ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Bl.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris horrida ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Liebm.) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris inaequalis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris insignis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (D.Eat.) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris insularum ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris integra ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (J.Sm.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris intermedia ''Sphaeropteris intermedia'', synonym ''Cyathea intermedia'', is a species of tree fern endemic to the east coast of New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg ...

'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris intramarginalis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' Windisch *'' Sphaeropteris ledermannii'' (Brause) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris leucolepis'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris leucotricha ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Christ) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris lockwoodiana'' P.G.Windisch *'' Sphaeropteris lunulata'' (G.Forst.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris macarenensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Alston) R. Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris magna'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris marginata ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Brause) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris medullaris'' (G.Forst.) Bernh. *''

Sphaeropteris megalosora ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris mertensiana ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Kunze) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris microlepidota ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris mollicula'' (Maxon) R. Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris moluccana'' (Desv.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris moseleyi ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of Cyatheales, tree fern 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 S ...

'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris myosuroides ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Liebm.) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris nigricans ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris novae-caledoniae ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Mett. ex Fourn.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris obliqua ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris obscura'' (Scort.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris papuana'' (Ridl.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris parianensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' P.G.Windisch *''

Sphaeropteris parksiae ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris parvifolia ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 '' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris parvipinna ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris persquamulifera'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris philippinensis'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris pilulifera'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris polypoda ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris procera ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Brause) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris propinqua'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris pukuana ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (M.Kato) Lehnert & Coritico *'' Sphaeropteris pulcherrima'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris quindiuensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Karsten) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris robinsonii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris robusta ''Sphaeropteris robusta'', synonym ''Cyathea robusta'', is a fern in the family Cyatheaceae. The specific epithet alludes to its robust habit. Description The plant is a treefern with a trunk growing up to 5 m in height; the stipe bases ...

'' (C.Moore ex Watts) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris rosenstockii ''Sphaeropteris rosenstockii'' is a species of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae, native to New Guinea. It was first described by Guido Brause in 1920 as ''Cyathea rosenstockii'', and transferred to ''Sphaeropteris ''Sphaeropteris'' ...

'' (Brause) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris runensis'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris sarasinorum'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris senex ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris senilis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Kl.) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris setifera ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris sibuyanensis'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris squamulata'' (Bl.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris stipitipinnula ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris strigosa ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Christ) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris subsessilis'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris suluensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris tenggerensis'' (Rosenst.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris teysmannii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris tomentosa ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Bl.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris tomentosissima'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris trichodesma'' (Scort. ex Bedd.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris trichophora'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris tripinnata'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris tripinnatifida ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Wall. ex Roxb.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris truncata'' (Brack.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris vaupelii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris verrucosa'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris vittata ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris wallacei'' (Mett. ex Kuhn) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris werneri ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Rosenst.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris womersleyi ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 o ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris zamboangana ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern 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 ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon

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

understorey In forestry and ecology, understory (American English), or understorey (Commonwealth English), also known as underbrush or undergrowth, includes plant life growing beneath the forest canopy without penetrating it to any great extent, but abov ...

layer. They are also found in ravines, swamps and disturbed areas.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q17166793 Fern genera