Cyathea
Cyathea medullaris growing in New Zealand
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Cyathea
J. E. Smith, 1793
Species

See text.

Synonyms[1]
Synonymy
  • Acanthea Lindig (1861)
  • Actinophlebia C.Presl (1847)
  • Amphicosmia Gardner (1842)
  • Chnoophora Kaulf. (1824)
  • Cnemidaria C.Presl (1836)
  • Cnemidopteris Rchb. (1841)
  • Cormophyllum Newman (1854 publ. 1857)
  • × Cyathidaria Caluff & Shelton (2002)
  • Dichorexia C.Presl (1848)
  • Disphenia C.Presl (1836)
  • Eatoniopteris J.Bommer (1874)
  • Fourniera J.Bommer (1874)
  • Gymnopremnon Lindig (1861)
  • Hemistegia C.Presl (1847)
  • Hemitelia R.Br. (1810)
  • Hymenophyllopsis K.I.Goebel (1929)
  • Microstegnus C.Presl (1848)
  • Nephelea R.M.Tryon (1970)
  • Schizocaena J.Sm. (1838)
  • Thysanobotrya Alderw. (1918)
  • Trachypremnon Lindig (1861)
  • Trichipteris C.Presl (1822)

Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales.

The genus name Cyathea is derived from the Greek kyatheion, meaning "little cup", and refers to the cup-shaped sori on the underside of the fronds.

Description

The species of Cyathea are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk.

The genus has a pantropical distribution, with over 470 species. They grow in habitats ranging from tropical rain forests to temperate woodlands.

Classification

Conant et al. in 1996, concluded on molecular cpDNA and morphological evidence that a system of three clades – Alsophila, Cyathea and Sphaeropteris was the most accurate reflection of evolutionary lineages within the Cyatheaceae, Alsophila being the most basal and Cyathea and Sphaeropteris derived sister groups.[2] In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), these are accepted as separate genera, Alsophila, Cyathea and Sphaeropteris.[3] Cnemidaria Presl, 1836 is a junior synonym or redundant subset.[4][5]

Species

As of July 2021, World Ferns (Version 12.3) accepted the following species:[6]

Extinct species

Eocene Cyathea inequilateralis Chuckanut Formation, Washington

References

Dried Cyathea podophylla.
  1. ^ Cyathea Sm. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  2. ^ Conant, D.S.; Raubeson, L.A.; Attwood, D.K.; Perera, S.; Zimmer, E.A.; Sweere, J.A.; Stein, D.B. (1996). "Phylogenetic and evolutionary implications of combined analysis of DNA and morphology in the Cyatheaceae". In Camus, J.M.; Gibby, M.; Johns, R.J. (eds.). Pteridology in perspective. Kew, U.K.: Royal Botanic Gardens. pp. 231–248. ISBN 9781900347099.
  3. ^ PPG I (2016). "A community-derived classification for extant lycophytes and ferns". Journal of Systematics and Evolution. 54 (6): 563–603. doi:10.1111/jse.12229. S2CID 39980610.
  4. ^ Braggins, John E. and Large, Mark F. Tree Ferns. Timber Press (2004). ISBN 0-88192-630-2
  5. ^ Cnemidaria world species list
  6. ^ Hassler, Michael (2004–2021), "Genus Cyathea J.E.Sm.", World Ferns. Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Version 12.3, retrieved 2021-07-25

Notes

Bibliography

External links

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