Alsophila brooksii, synonym Cyathea brooksii,[1] is a species of tree fern native to Cuba, Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, where it grows on serpentine soils in shaded ravines, along streams, and on forested slopes at an altitude of 250–950 m. The trunk is prostrate and only about 6 cm in diameter. Fronds are pinnate or bipinnate and up to 2 m long. The base of the rachis is covered with blackish scales that have a paler margin. Sori occur in two rows, one along each side of the pinnule midvein.[2]

Alsophila brooksii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Alsophila
Species:
A. brooksii
Binomial name
Alsophila brooksii
(Maxon) R.M.Tryon[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Cyathea brooksii Maxon

In the wild, A. brooksii is known to hybridise with Alsophila fulgens and Alsophila portoricensis, although the resulting plants are thought to be sterile.[2]

This taxon is not to be confused with Cyathea brooksii Copel., which is a synonym of Sphaeropteris squamulata.[2][3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Alsophila brooksii". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Vol. 8. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  2. ^ a b c Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.
  3. ^ Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Sphaeropteris squamulata". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Vol. 8. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-09-16.