Alsophila erinacea
| Alsophila erinacea | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Cyatheales |
| Family: | Cyatheaceae |
| Genus: | Alsophila |
| Species: | A. erinacea
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| Binomial name | |
| Alsophila erinacea (H.Karst.) D.S.Conant[1]
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Alsophila erinacea, synonym Cyathea erinacea,[1] is a species of tree fern native to Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.[2]
It grows in tropical rain forests, particularly in the understory, and on riverbanks up to the montane zone at an altitude of about 800–2,100 metres (2,600–6,900 ft).[2]
Description[edit]
The erect trunk of Alsophila erinacea is up to 15 metres (49 ft) tall, 7–10 cm in diameter and has black spines. The arching fronds are bipinnate, up to 3.5 m long and form a sparse crown. The rachis and stipe are scaly and may be either straw-coloured or brown to dark brown. The scales are bicoloured, having a dark brown to blackish centre and pale whitish margin, as well as a terminal seta. Characteristically of this species, pinnule veins bear whitish scales with star-shaped setae. Sori are round and form on either side of the pinnule midvein. They are covered by globose indusia.[2]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Alsophila erinacea". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World (version 8.02). Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
- ^ a b c Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p. 129. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.
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