Gymnosphaera glabra

Gymnosphaera glabra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Gymnosphaera
Species:
G. glabra
Binomial name
Gymnosphaera glabra
Blume (1828)
Synonyms[1]
  • Alsophila dubia Bedd. (1888)
  • Alsophila glabra (Blume) Hook. (1844)
  • Alsophila reducta Alderw. (1918)
  • Alsophila vexans Ces. (1876)
  • Cyathea dubia (Bedd.) Copel. (1917)
  • Cyathea glabra (Blume) Copel. (1909)
  • Cyathea reducta Domin (1930)
  • Cyathea vexans (Ces.) C.Chr. (1934)
  • Gymnosphaera vexans (Ces.) Copel. (1947)

Gymnosphaera glabra, synonyms Alsophila glabra and Cyathea glabra,[2] is a species of tree fern native to Borneo, western Java, Sumatra, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, and the Malay Peninsula,[1] where it grows in lowland swamp forest and montane forest at an elevation of up to 1500 m. The trunk of this plant is erect and 2–4 m tall. Fronds are bi- or tripinnate and 1–2 m in length. Characteristically of this species, the lowest pinnae may be significantly reduced. The stipe is very dark and bears basal scales. These scales are dark, glossy and have a paler margin and fragile edges. Sori are produced in groups of one to three on fertile pinnule veins. They lack indusia.[3]

Large and Braggins (2004) noted that G. glabra is very similar to Gymnosphaera gigantea 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]

  1. ^ a b Gymnosphaera glabra Blume. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference CFLW was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference LargBrag04 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).