Alsophila tryoniana (Gastony) D.S.Conant

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

  • Family

    Cyatheaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Alsophila tryoniana (Gastony) D.S.Conant

  • Description

    Species Description - Trunks to 4.5 m tall; stipe spines ca. 1 cm, black; stipe scales castaneous, with pale margins and each with a dark persistent apical seta and occasionally dark lateral setae; blades to 1.7 m, 2- pinnate-pinnatifid, rachises pale brown; pinnae to 65 cm, abaxial pinna rachis scales linear, whitish with black setae at apex and laterally; pinnules with whitish bullate scales with black apical setae, also usually marginally setulose, distally the scales bullate but without black setae, segments also with stiff hairs ca. 0.5 mm; sori medial; indusia absent.

  • Discussion

    Nephelea tryoniana Gastony, Contr. Gray Herb. 203: 118. 1973. Type. Guatemala. Dept. Zacapa: canyons bordering Ri´o Lima, Sierra de las Minas, below Finca Alejandria, Steyermark 30009 (F-5 sheets; isotypes GH!, US!).

    Alsophila tryoniana is distinct by the exindusiate sori and bullate scales on the segment midveins abaxially. Conant (1983) has suggested that this species arose as a cross between A. firma and A. salvinii.

  • Distribution

    Cloud forests and evergreen rain forests; 1100– 2500 m. Mexico; Guat, Hond, Salv, Nic.

    Mexico North America| Nicaragua Central America| El Salvador Central America| Honduras Central America| Guatemala Central America|