Gymnosphaera gigantea, synonyms Alsophila gigantea and Cyathea gigantea,[2] is a species of tree fern native to northeastern to southern India, Sri Lanka, Nepal to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula, as well as central Sumatra and western Java.[1] It grows in moist open areas at an elevation of 600–1000 m. The trunk of this species is erect and may be as tall as 5 m or more. Fronds are bi- or tripinnate and usually 2–3 m long. The rachis is long, dark to black in colouration and rough in appearance after the fall of scales. These scales are dark brown, glossy and have a narrow paler margin and fragile edges. Sori are round and indusia absent.[3]
Large and Braggins (2004) noted that G. gigantea is very similar to G. glabra and appears to form part of a complex that also includes G. podophylla and G.subdubia. Further study is needed to determine the nature of the relationship between these taxa.[3]
The specific epithet gigantea refers, at least in part, to the large fronds.[3]
References
- ^ a b Gymnosphaera gigantea (Wall. ex Hook.) S.Y.Dong. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
- ^ Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Alsophila gigantea". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World (version 8.02). Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-09-15.
- ^ a b c Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p. 136. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.
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