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Sphaeropteris trichodesma (Scort.) R.M.Tryon
| Family Name: | Cyatheaceae |
| Synonyms: | Cyathea trichodesma (Scort.) Copel. |
Sphaeropteris trichodesma is a tree fern native to Singapore. It has a slender trunk that grows to 4.5 m tall, bipinnate fronds with lobes held on a stipe densely covered in scales. The sori are round, produced without an indusium, pale spreading hairs found on the underside including the midrib, veinlets and sori.
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Ferns & Lycophytes (Non-Seed Vascular Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Malesia |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest, Riverine, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tree fern with slender trunk up to 4.5 m in height. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The frond is bipinnate, long, held on a long stipe densely covered in scales at the base. The frond and stipe can measure to 2 - 3.5 m long. Each leaflet can reach to 60 cm long, further divided into smaller leaflets, 90 mm long by 15 mm wide. The smaller leaflets are almost stalked, lobed, 110 mm long by 20 mm wide. |
| Reproductive Parts - non-flowering plant | The sori are produced on both sides of the mid-rib, lacks indusium. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Scales on the stipe are medium to light brown, shinning and firm, about 25 mm long by 2 mm wide. Pale spreading hairs of 1-2 mm long are found on the underside of the smaller leaflets, midrib and veinlets. |
| Habitat | Occurs in lowland forest, sometimes by rivers, to 1500 m in altitude. <1> |
| Similar | Sphaeropteris squamulata and Sphaeropteris trichodesma are similar in appearance. The key difference can be found in the underside of each smaller leaflet. Sphaeropteris trichodesma bear pale spreading hairs on the underside including the midrib, veinlets and sorus whereas hairs can be found on the sori of Spaheropteris squamulata. |
| Cultivation | It can be propagated by spores. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Spore |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Compound (Bipinnate) |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Pinnately Lobed / Pinnatifid |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acuminate |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome) |
References
| References | <1> Holttum, R.E. (1981). Sphaeropteris. In: Holttum, R.E. (eds). Cyathaceae. Flora Malesiana, ser. 2, Pteridophyta, vol. 1, pt. 2, pp. 150. Leiden: Rijksherbarium. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34222 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8635 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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