Neoblechnum is a genus of ferns in the family Blechnaceae, subfamily Blechnoideae, with a single species Neoblechnum brasiliense, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I).[1] The genus is accepted in a 2016 classification of the family Blechnaceae,[3] but other sources sink it into a very broadly defined Blechnum, equivalent to the whole of the PPG I subfamily;[4] the species is then known as Blechnum brasiliense. It is called Brazilian dwarf tree fern, red Brazilian tree fern, and red dwarf tree fern.[5][6]
| Neoblechnum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Suborder: | Aspleniineae |
| Family: | Blechnaceae |
| Genus: | Neoblechnum Gasper & V.A.O.Dittrich[1] |
| Species: | N. brasiliense
|
| Binomial name | |
| Neoblechnum brasiliense (Desv.) Gasper & V.A.O.Dittrich[1]
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Description
editThe erect rhizome of Neoblechnum brasiliense forms a thin stipe-stubbed trunk up to 30 centimetres (12 in) in height. The new foliage is a striking deep red color. As the fronds mature it turns to a glossy green.[7] On some selections, the new fronds emerge a pinkish-red.
Distribution
editThe fern is native to the warm and humid subtropical forests of South America.[7]
Habitats include:[5]
- the Atlantic Forest biome, within southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, and the interiors of Argentina and Paraguay.
- the Amazon region, in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Guyana.
- Guatemala.
Cultivation
editNeoblechnum brasiliense is cultivated as an ornamental plant.[7] In the UK (under the synonym Blechnum brasiliense) it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[8] As it will not tolerate temperatures below 15 °C (59 °F) it must be grown under glass all year in temperate regions.
Cultivars
editNamed cultivars include:
Gallery
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New red fronds emerging, Jardin des Plantes conservatory -
Specimen in the United States Botanic Garden conservatory -
References
edit
- ^ a b c PPG I (2016), "A community-derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns", Journal of Systematics and Evolution, 54 (6): 563–603, doi:10.1111/jse.12229, S2CID 39980610
- ^ Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (November 2019), "Neoblechnum brasiliense", Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World, 8.11, retrieved 2019-12-23
- ^ Gasper, André Luís De; Dittrich, Vinícius Antonio De Oliveira; Smith, Alan Reid & Salino, Alexandre (2016-09-21), "A classification for Blechnaceae (Polypodiales: Polypodiopsida): New genera, resurrected names, and combinations", Phytotaxa, 275 (3): 191–227, doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.275.3.1, ISSN 1179-3163, retrieved 2019-12-22
- ^ Christenhusz, Maarten J.M. & Chase, Mark W. (2014), "Trends and concepts in fern classification", Annals of Botany, 113 (9): 571–594, doi:10.1093/aob/mct299, PMC 3936591, PMID 24532607
- ^ a b GRIN-Global Web v 1.9.7.1: Taxonomy profile for Blechnum brasiliense
- ^ National Gardening Association: Blechnum brasiliense
- ^ a b c d e Forest Ferns.uk: cultivation of Blechnum brasiliense
- ^ "RHS Plantfinder - Blechnum brasiliense". Retrieved 12 January 2018.
- ^ Longwoodgardens.org: Longwood Gardens Plant Explorer — Blechnum brasiliense 'Crispum'
- ^ Thompson-morgan.com: Blechnum brasiliense 'Volcano' (Red Dwarf tree fern)