Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales.

Cyathea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Cyathea
J. E. Smith, 1793
Species

See text.

Synonyms[1]
Synonymy
  • Acanthea Lindig (1861)
  • Actinophlebia C.Presl (1847)
  • Amphicosmia Gardner (1842)
  • Chnoophora Kaulf. (1824)
  • Cnemidaria C.Presl (1836)
  • Cnemidopteris Rchb. (1841)
  • Cormophyllum Newman (1854 publ. 1857)
  • × Cyathidaria Caluff & Shelton (2002)
  • Dichorexia C.Presl (1848)
  • Disphenia C.Presl (1836)
  • Eatoniopteris J.Bommer (1874)
  • Fourniera J.Bommer (1874)
  • Gymnopremnon Lindig (1861)
  • Hemistegia C.Presl (1847)
  • Hemitelia R.Br. (1810)
  • Hymenophyllopsis K.I.Goebel (1929)
  • Microstegnus C.Presl (1848)
  • Nephelea R.M.Tryon (1970)
  • Schizocaena J.Sm. (1838)
  • Thysanobotrya Alderw. (1918)
  • Trachypremnon Lindig (1861)
  • Trichipteris C.Presl (1822)

The genus name Cyathea is derived from the Greek kyatheion, meaning "little cup", and refers to the cup-shaped sori on the underside of the fronds.

Description

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The species of Cyathea are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk.

The genus has a pantropical distribution, with over 470 species. They grow in habitats ranging from tropical rain forests to temperate woodlands.

Classification

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Conant et al. in 1996, concluded on molecular cpDNA and morphological evidence that a system of three clades – Alsophila, Cyathea and Sphaeropteris was the most accurate reflection of evolutionary lineages within the Cyatheaceae, Alsophila being the most basal and Cyathea and Sphaeropteris derived sister groups.[2] In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), these are accepted as separate genera, Alsophila, Cyathea and Sphaeropteris.[3] Cnemidaria Presl, 1836 is a junior synonym or redundant subset.[4][5]

Species

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As of July 2021, World Ferns (Version 12.3) accepted the following species:[6]

Extinct species

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Eocene Cyathea inequilateralis Chuckanut Formation, Washington

References

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Dried Cyathea podophylla.
  1. ^ Cyathea Sm. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  2. ^ Conant, D.S.; Raubeson, L.A.; Attwood, D.K.; Perera, S.; Zimmer, E.A.; Sweere, J.A.; Stein, D.B. (1996). "Phylogenetic and evolutionary implications of combined analysis of DNA and morphology in the Cyatheaceae". In Camus, J.M.; Gibby, M.; Johns, R.J. (eds.). Pteridology in perspective. Kew, U.K.: Royal Botanic Gardens. pp. 231–248. ISBN 9781900347099.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Braggins, John E. and Large, Mark F. Tree Ferns. Timber Press (2004). ISBN 0-88192-630-2
  5. ^ Cnemidaria world species list
  6. ^ Hassler, Michael (2004–2021), "Genus Cyathea J.E.Sm.", World Ferns. Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Version 12.3, retrieved 2021-07-25

Notes

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Bibliography

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  • Christenhusz, M.J.M. (2009). New combinations and an overview of Cyathea subg. Hymenophyllopsis (Cyatheaceae). Phytotaxa 1: 37–42.
  • Lehnert, M. (2006). New species and records of tree ferns (Cyatheaceae, Pteridophyta) in the northern Andes. Organisms, Diversity & Evolution 6: 321–322, electronic supplement 13: 1–11.
  • Lehnert, M. (2009). Three new species of scaly tree ferns (Cyathea-Cyatheaceae) from the northern Andes. Phytotaxa 2: 43–56.
  • The International Plant Names Index
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