Alsophila leichhardtiana

Alsophila leichhardtiana, synonym Cyathea leichhardtiana, the prickly tree fern, is a plant in the tree fern family, Cyatheaceae, found in eastern Australia (Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland).[3] It is a common species found in moist situations, in and near rainforests. It was named in honour of the explorer and botanical collector Ludwig Leichhardt.[4]

Prickly tree fern
In Maxwells Creek, far south eastern NSW
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Alsophila
Species:
A. leichhardtiana
Binomial name
Alsophila leichhardtiana
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Alsophila leichhardtii F.M.Bailey
  • Alsophila macarthurii Hook.
  • Alsophila moorei J.Sm.
  • Cyathea leichhardtiana (F.Muell.) Copel.
  • Hemitelia australis C.Presl
  • Sphaeropteris australis (Presl) R.M.Tryon

Seen between one and seven metres tall, it may be identified by the thin, prickly trunk, 5 to 15 cm wide. The sori lack true indusia, the base of the sorus bears a ring of scales. Fronds are up to 3 metres long, and the stipe is around 20 cm in length.[4]

Taxonomy

It was first described in 1865 by Ferdinand von Mueller as Alsophila leichhardtiana from several specimens, one of which was collected by Ludwig Leichhardt in Moreton Bay, and another by Louisa Atkinson in the Blue Mountains.[5][6][7] It was named and described many times. In 1912, Edwin Copeland transferred the species to Cyathea as Cyathea leichhardtiana.[5][8] It has since been restored to Alsophila.[1][2]

References
  1. "Alsophila leichhardtiana F.Muell.". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  2. Hassler, Michael (2004–2021), "Genus Alsophila R.Br.", World Ferns. Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Version 12.3, retrieved 30 July 2021
  3. ""Cyathea leichhardtiana":PlantNET – FloraOnline". plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  4. Les Robinson – Field Guide to the Native Plants of Sydney, ISBN 978-0-7318-1211-0 page 309
  5. "Cyathea leichhardtiana". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  6. Mueller, F.J.H. von (1865) Fragmenta Phytographiae Australiae 5(33): 53. Retrieved 8 September 2019
  7. "Alsophila leichhardtiana". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  8. Copeland, E.B. (1912) Philippine Journal of Science. Section C, Botany 6: 360
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