Cyathea spinulosa

Cyathea spinulosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida /
 Pteridopsida (disputed)
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Cyathea
Species: C. spinulosa
Binomial name
Cyathea spinulosa
Wall. ex Hook., 1844
Synonyms[1]

Cyathea spinulosa, also known as the flying spider-monkey tree fern, is a species of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae.

Description

The trunk of this species can grow to a height of 5 m or more. The stipes are persistent, spiny and purplish towards the base, and covered in brown shiny scales. Fronds are 1–3 m long and three-limbed. The sori, producing the spores, are large and round. Like many tree ferns, it features a "skirt" of dead leaves that do not drop off the crown and form a barrier for parasitic climbing plants.[2]

Distribution and habitat

C. spinulosa occurs in humus soils in shadowed forest locations, and is widely distributed across Asia including China, Nepal, India, Burma, Myanmar, and Japan.[1][2]

Use by humans

The stems are rich in starch and edible. Stem chips also see use as fern chips as a substrate for the cultivation of orchids.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 "Cyathea spinulosa Wall". Catalogue of Life. ITIS. Species 2000. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 T. C. Huang, ed. (1994). Flora of Taiwan. 1 (2nd ed.). Taipei: Editorial Committee of the Flora of Taiwan. p. 148.
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