Gymnosphaera capensis | |
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Slender, adult Gymnosphaera capensis ssp. capensis specimens, growing in typical shady Afromontane forest in Cape Town | |
Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Division: | Polypodiophyta |
Class: | Polypodiopsida |
Order: | Cyatheales |
Family: | Cyatheaceae |
Genus: | Gymnosphaera |
Species: | G. capensis
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Binomial name | |
Gymnosphaera capensis (
L.f.) S.Y.Dong (2018)
| |
Subspecies [1] | |
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Synonyms [1] | |
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Gymnosphaera capensis, synonyms Alsophila capensis and Cyathea capensis, [2] (known as the "forest tree fern") is a regionally widespread and highly variable species of tree fern. It is indigenous to Southern Africa (subsp. capensis) and South America (subsp. polypodioides). [3]
Both subspecies of Gymnosphaera capensis have a slender, erect trunk that is up to 4.5 metres (15 ft) tall (occasionally even 6 metres (20 ft)) and about 15 cm in diameter. [4]
The fronds are tripinnate, born on long stipes (stalks), and 2–3 m in length. The main stem of the leaf ( rachis) is smooth to slightly warty and covered in scales that range from tan to brown or dark brown. The frond stalks are covered with dark brown or black scales. [3]
The smallest leaflets ( pinnae) have toothed (serrated) margins. The lowest pinnae may be separated from the others along the rachis and form a clump around the crown, similar to the "wig" of Gymnosphaera baileyana. This moss-like tuft of tiny, reduced leaves is distinctive for Gymnosphaera capensis, and can be used to identify this species across its range. [5] [6]
The sori occur in two rows, one along each side of the pinnule midvein, and are covered by scale-like indusia. [3]
This fern is the only member of the family Cyatheaceae native to both Africa and the Americas. The species is divided into two subspecies:
Gymnosphaera capensis is cultivated as an ornamental plant. [7] It is relatively easy to grow if provided with a semi-shady, moist and sheltered environment, and can likely tolerate several degrees of frost. [7]
Gymnosphaera capensis | |
---|---|
| |
Slender, adult Gymnosphaera capensis ssp. capensis specimens, growing in typical shady Afromontane forest in Cape Town | |
Scientific classification
![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Division: | Polypodiophyta |
Class: | Polypodiopsida |
Order: | Cyatheales |
Family: | Cyatheaceae |
Genus: | Gymnosphaera |
Species: | G. capensis
|
Binomial name | |
Gymnosphaera capensis (
L.f.) S.Y.Dong (2018)
| |
Subspecies [1] | |
| |
Synonyms [1] | |
|
Gymnosphaera capensis, synonyms Alsophila capensis and Cyathea capensis, [2] (known as the "forest tree fern") is a regionally widespread and highly variable species of tree fern. It is indigenous to Southern Africa (subsp. capensis) and South America (subsp. polypodioides). [3]
Both subspecies of Gymnosphaera capensis have a slender, erect trunk that is up to 4.5 metres (15 ft) tall (occasionally even 6 metres (20 ft)) and about 15 cm in diameter. [4]
The fronds are tripinnate, born on long stipes (stalks), and 2–3 m in length. The main stem of the leaf ( rachis) is smooth to slightly warty and covered in scales that range from tan to brown or dark brown. The frond stalks are covered with dark brown or black scales. [3]
The smallest leaflets ( pinnae) have toothed (serrated) margins. The lowest pinnae may be separated from the others along the rachis and form a clump around the crown, similar to the "wig" of Gymnosphaera baileyana. This moss-like tuft of tiny, reduced leaves is distinctive for Gymnosphaera capensis, and can be used to identify this species across its range. [5] [6]
The sori occur in two rows, one along each side of the pinnule midvein, and are covered by scale-like indusia. [3]
This fern is the only member of the family Cyatheaceae native to both Africa and the Americas. The species is divided into two subspecies:
Gymnosphaera capensis is cultivated as an ornamental plant. [7] It is relatively easy to grow if provided with a semi-shady, moist and sheltered environment, and can likely tolerate several degrees of frost. [7]