Alsophila brevipinna, synonym Cyathea brevipinna,[1] is a species of tree fern endemic to the higher parts of Mount Gower (875 m) on Lord Howe Island, where it grows in exposed areas at an altitude of about 790 m. The trunk is erect and may reach 3 m in height. It is often covered with reddish brown scales and stipe bases. This species may produce stolons at ground level. Fronds are tripinnate, densely crowded, and up to about 3 m long. The stipe is brown and sometimes warty after scales fall off. The scales are long, glossy dark brown, with a distinctly narrow apex and fragile paler edges. Sori are attached to deeply divided fertile pinnules that may uncurl over the sori. Indusia are firm and large. A. brevipinna is a stunted plant with short pinnae.[2]

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

Reportedly, only one plant survives outside of its native habitat. No one is known to have successfully raised A. brevipinna from spores.[3]

References

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