Alsophila arfakensis, synonym Cyathea kanehirae, is a species of tree fern native to western New Guinea, where it grows in montane forest at an altitude of 1600–2700 m. The trunk of this plant is erect and 1–4 m tall. Fronds may be bi- or tripinnate and 1–2 m in length. The rachis is smooth, while the stipe is dark and warty. The stipe is covered with flat, brown, scattered scales. Sori are borne near the fertile pinnule midvein. They are protected by small indusia that are cup-like in appearance.[2]
| Alsophila arfakensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Cyatheales |
| Family: | Cyatheaceae |
| Genus: | Alsophila |
| Species: | A. arfakensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Alsophila arfakensis A.Gepp[1]
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Large and Braggins (2004) note that Rolla Tryon (1970) regarded Alsophila arfakensis and Cyathea kanehirae as synonyms, although it is still possible that they represent separate species.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b "Alsophila arfakensis A.Gepp". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
- ^ a b Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p. 150. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.
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