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Alsophila aneitensis

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Alsophila aneitensis
Cyathea Aneitensis near Aneghowhat village, Anatom, Vanuatu
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Alsophila
Species:
A. aneitensis
Binomial name
Alsophila aneitensis
(Hook.) R.M.Tryon[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Cyathea aneitensis Hook.
  • Cyathea laciniata Copel.

Alsophila aneitensis, synonym Cyathea aneitensis,[1] is a species of tree fern native to Vanuatu and possibly New Caledonia. This species has an erect trunk up to 3 m tall. Fronds are bipinnate and may reach 2 m in length. The rachis and stipe are either very dark and smooth or have a few scales towards the base of the stipe. The scales are dark and narrow. Sori occur near the pinnule midvein and are covered by large, thin, fragile indusia. The closest relative of A. aneitensis appears to be Alsophila vieillardii. It can be distinguished from that species by its very dark stipes and frond bases.[2]

The specific epithet aneitensis refers to Aneityum (also called Anatom), the southernmost main island of Vanuatu.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Alsophila aneitensis". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Vol. 8. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-08-25.
  2. ^ a b Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.