Gleichenia abscida, commonly known as dwarf coral fern, is an uncommon alpine fern found in southwestern Tasmania. Described by English born dentist and botanist Leonard Rodway,[1] that which distinguishes G. abscida the most from all other species of Gleichenia is its frond. While each other species of Gleichenia have a repetitively branching frond, G. abscida's frond consists of just two blades, with the apical axil between these two blades lacking meristematic tissue.[2]
| Dwarf coral fern | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Gleicheniales |
| Family: | Gleicheniaceae |
| Genus: | Gleichenia |
| Species: | G. abscida
|
| Binomial name | |
| Gleichenia abscida | |
Morphology
editMultiple stipes (25–40), 9–46 cm long, with fronds up to 65 cm in length, arise from long creeping rhizomes 2.5–3.5 mm in diameter.[2] Scaly rounded pinnules 1–2 mm across, with flat adaxial surfaces and strongly recurved into an abaxial pouch, hold sori of 2–4 sporangia.[2]
References
edit- ^ Rodway, Leonard (1903). The Tasmanian Flora. Hobart: John Vail, Government Printer. p. 289.
- ^ a b c "Gleichenia abscida". Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. Retrieved 13 October 2016.
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