Alsophila hotteana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alsophila hotteana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Alsophila
Species:
A. hotteana
Binomial name
Alsophila hotteana
Synonyms[1]
  • Cyathea hotteana C.Chr. & Ekman

Alsophila hotteana, synonym Cyathea hotteana,[1] is a species of tree fern endemic to Haiti, where it grows in cloud forest at an altitude of 1000–1200 m. The trunk of this plant is erect, up to 2 m tall, and approximately 8 cm in diameter. Fronds are pinnate and may reach 2 m in length. Brown basal scales cover the rachis and stipe, which are also brown. Sori are borne in two rows, one on each side of the pinnule midvein. They are covered by shallow, plate-like indusia, which bear one or two clefts at the margin.[2]

A. hotteana was once abundant at lower altitudes. Indeed, the type material was collected at 700 m above sea level. However, forest clearance in recent decades has limited the altitudinal distribution of this species to higher elevations.[2]

A. hotteana appears to be related to Alsophila brooksii, Alsophila bryophila and Alsophila minor.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (June 2019). "Alsophila hotteana". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Vol. 8. Archived from the original on 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2019-08-31.
  2. ^ a b c Large, Mark F. & Braggins, John E. (2004). Tree Ferns. Timber Press. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-88192-630-9.