Alsophila imrayana

Alsophila imrayana, synonym Cyathea imrayana,[2] is a species of tree fern native to Dominica, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

Alsophila imrayana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Alsophila
Species:
A. imrayana
Binomial name
Alsophila imrayana
(Hook.) D.S.Conant[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Alsophila nigra Jenman
  • Cyathea caribaea Jenman
  • Cyathea imrayana Hook.
  • Cyathea imrayana var. caribaea (Jenman) Proctor
  • Cyathea imrayana var. subnudata Hook.
  • Cyathea purdiaei Jenman
  • Nephelea imrayana (Hook.) R.M.Tryon

The plant grows in submontane rain forest understorey and riparian zones on riverbanks, at an altitude of 1,000–2,000 metres (3,300–6,600 ft).[3]

Description

Alsophila imrayana is a species with an erect trunk that is 8–10 metres (26–33 ft) tall and 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in) in diameter. It is covered with sharp, blackish spines and pale brown hairs. Fronds are bipinnate, 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft) in length, and occur in whorls of five. The crown is large and spreading, especially in young plants.[3]

The rachis and stipe range in colouration from brown to dark brown and bear bicoloured scales (brown centre and paler margin) with a terminal seta. Scales on pinnule veins are whitish. Sori are round and borne on either side of the pinnule midvein, towards the base of the pinnule segment. They are protected by red-brown, globose indusia.[3]

The specific epithet imrayana commemorates plant collector John Imray (1811-1880), who collected the type material.[3]

References
  1. "Alsophila imrayana (Hook.) D.S.Conant". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  2. Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Alsophila imrayana". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Vol. 8. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  3. Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. pp. 145–146. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.
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