Cyathea halconensis

Cyathea halconensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Cyatheales
Family:	Cyatheaceae
Genus:	Cyathea
Subgenus:	Cyathea
Section:	Alsophila
Species:	C. halconensis
Binomial name
Cyathea halconensis Christ, 1908
Synonyms
Alsophila halconensis (Christ) Tryon, 1970 Cyathea mearnsii Copeland, 1909

Cyathea halconensis is a species of tree fern native to the islands of Luzon and Mindoro in the Philippines, where it grows in forest at an altitude of 1200-1700 m. The trunk of this plant is erect and 2-4 m tall. Fronds may be bi- or tripinnate and more than 1 m in length. Conical spines and scales cover the stipe. These scales are dark brown in colouration and have fragile edges. Sori occur near the fertile pinnule midvein. They are protected by thin, pale indusia.

The specific epithet halconensis refers to Mount Halcon, which at 2581 m is the highest peak on Mindoro.

References

• Braggins, John E. & Large, Mark F. 2004. Tree Ferns. Timber Press, Inc., p. 138. ISBN 0-88192-630-2
• The International Plant Names Index: Cyathea halconensis