Cyathea

Common name:         unknown  

Conservation status: unkown

Etymology:   

• Derived from the Greek kyatheion, meaning "little cup", and refers to the cup-shaped sori on the underside of the fronds

Spores:                            

• x

Leaves:         

• x

Stem & branches: 

• Usually with a single tall stem

• Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping

Roots:         

• Many species develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk.

Habit:        

• Mostly terrestrial tree ferns

Habitat:   

• They grow in habitats ranging from tropical rain forests to temperate woodlands

Distribution:                  

• Pantropical

Species:                     

• World:            > 470 

• Australia:      

Additional notes:     . 

• 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 (from the Greek alsos, meaning 'grove' or 'glade' and phila, meaning 'loving', referring to shady glades where ferns like to grow) being the most basal and Cyathea and Sphaeropteris derived sister groups

  • In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I), these are accepted as separate genera, Alsophila, Cyathea and Sphaeropteris

  • Cnemidaria Presl, 1836 is a junior synonym or redundant subset