Alsophila exilis

Alsophila exilis, synonym Cyathea exilis, is a species of tree fern endemic to the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia, where it grows in vine forest on a substrate of sandstone. It is a rare plant known only from one location, specifically by a stream in Mann Creek in the William Thompson Range. In its natural habitat, A. exilis is reportedly accompanied by Pandanus and Calamus plants. The trunk is erect, up to 4 m tall and 4–8 cm in diameter. It produces several buds, often one at each stipe base. Fronds are bipinnate and up to 1 m long. The rachis and stipe range in colour from brown to dark brown or black-brown and are covered in blunt spines and scales. The scales are dull brown in colour and bear terminal setae, mostly one each. Sori are round and occur on either side of the pinnule midvein. Indusia are absent.

Alsophila exilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Alsophila
Species:
A. exilis
Binomial name
Alsophila exilis
(Holttum) Lehnert[1]
Synonyms[1][2]
  • Cyathea exilis Holttum
  • Alsophila exilis (Holttum) A.R.Field, comb. superfl.

References
  1. "Alsophila exilis (Holttum) Lehnert". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 29 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 29 July 2021.
  • Braggins, John E.; Large, Mark F. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-630-2.


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