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Sphaeropteris mertensiana
(Kunze) R.M.Tryon
Tree Fern
Cyatheaceae
Sphaeropteris mertensiana is a species of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It is a large fern found in the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands of Japan.
Description
Sphaeropteris mertensiana is a tree fern, with giant bipinnate fronds. The leaflets are at least 60 and are attached to a pale stalk with shiny brown warts. Subleaflets are up to 11 cm long with 2 cm wide. Fertile subleaflets are slightly narrower than the sterile ones and bear the sori. The undersides of the frond are glaucous. Sori are closer to the stalk. The main stalks are almost smooth and hairless, but the leaflet stalks have small scales on them (Holttum 1965).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Distribution
Sphaeropteris mertensiana is found in the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands of Japan (Holttum 1965).
Status
References
Holttum, R. E. 1965. Tree-Ferns of the Genus Cyathea Sm. in Asia (Excluding Malaysia). Kew Bulletin 19(3): 463–487.
Description
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