Cyathea heterochlamydea

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

Cyathea heterochlamydea is a little-known species of tree fern native to the islands of Luzon, Panay, Negros and Mindanao in the Philippines, where it grows in montane forest. The trunk of this plant is erect and usually up to 4 m tall or more. Fronds may be bi- or tripinnate and 1-2 m in length. The stipe is warty and/or bears short spines and scales. These scales are dark, glossy and have a narrow pale margin. Sori are borne near the fertile pinnule midvein and are protected by firm, brown indusia.

Braggins and Large (2004) note that C. heterochlamydea is very similar to Cyathea edanoi, which is smaller in size, and may also be related to Cyathea caudata.

References

• Braggins, John E. & Large, Mark F. 2004. Tree Ferns. Timber Press, Inc., p. 141. ISBN 0-88192-630-2
• The International Plant Names Index: Cyathea heterochlamydea