Home | > | List of families | > | Cyatheaceae | > | Cyathea | > | mossambicensis |
Synonyms: |
Alsophila campanulata R.M.Tryon Alsophila mossambicensis (Baker) R. M. Tryon Cyathea holstii Hieron. Cyathea humilis Hieron. Cyathea usambarensis Domin |
Common names: | |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Tree fern. Caudex 80 × 15 cm; fronds herbaceous, up to 2 m long. Stem without spines and without aphlebia in the crown of the stem. Stipe dark brown, set with brown scales towards the base; scales narrowly lanceolate, margins pale and a dark apical seta. Lamina up to 1.9 m × 80 cm, 2-pinnate to 2-pinnatifid, rarely 3-pinnatifid, elliptic in outline, lowest four pairs of pinnae reduced. Pinnae 26 × 4.5 cm, oblong-attenuate, incised to the costa into narrowly oblong slightly falcate lobes, margins crenate-serrate, apex acute, upper surface with stiff curved pale hairs on the costa, lower surface with scattered stiff twisted hairs along the veins. Sori set in a single row on each side of the costule, restricted to the lower half of the pinnule; indusium cup-shaped, fragmenting soon after maturity. |
Notes: | Differs from other tree ferns in having less divided, 2-pinnate to 2-pinnatifid fronds |
Derivation of specific name: | mossambicensis: of Mozambique |
Habitat: | Deep shade along streambanks in evergreen or semi-deciduous forest |
Altitude range: (metres) | 380 - 1500 m |
Worldwide distribution: | Malawi, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe |
Zimbabwe distribution: | E |
Growth form(s): | Terrestrial. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | Vulnerable |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Sunday 1 August 2010 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. (1990). Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 86 - 87. (Includes a picture). Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 31. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 18. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 10. Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 164. Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983). The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 198 - 199. As Alsophila mossambicensis (Bak.) Tryon (Includes a picture). Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 6. Roux, J.P. (2001). Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report 13 Page 88. Roux, J.P. (2009). Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands Page 65. As Alsophila mossambicensis (Baker) R.M.Tryon Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970). Pteridophyta Flora Zambesiaca Page 72. (Includes a picture). |
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