Cyathea divergens var. tuerckheimii (Maxon) R.M.Tryon

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Cyatheaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Cyathea divergens var. tuerckheimii (Maxon) R.M.Tryon

  • Description

    Species Description - Trunks to 12 m tall; fronds to 4 m long; stipes brown to tan, lightly to strongly spiny, spines dark, sharp, scales long, bicolorous, dark brown with pale erose margins, stipes very hairy with basal scurf whitish to tan; blades bipinnate-pinnatifid, pinnae stalked, 0.5–2.7 cm long, pinnules usually stalked 1–6 mm; segments obtuse, strongly falcate, crenulate, firm-textured, costae hairy adaxially, glabrous abaxially, segments glabrous on both sides but with sparse brown, lustrous, generally flat scales on segment midveins abaxially, scales most abundant in pinna axils; fertile veins simple or 1-forked; sori medial, indusia globose.

  • Discussion

    Cyathea tuerckheimii Maxon, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 13: 4. 1909. Type. Guatemala. Alta Verapaz: Near Coba´n, Tu¨rckheim II 1645 (US!; isotypes F, GH, LE!, MO, NY!, P!, UC!).

    Cyathea juergensenii E. Fourn., Mexic. Pl. 1: 135. 1872. Type. Mexico. Oaxaca: “In cordillera Oajacensi” [Sierra San Pedro Nolasco], Ju¨rgensen 874 (P; isotype BM!, frag. US!).

    Cyathea divergens is distinct among Mexican species of Cyathea in its lack of costal hairs on the abaxial blade surfaces and the frequently stalked (1–6 mm) pinnules. There is often a black, tar-like fungus on the adaxial laminar surfaces. Var. divergens occurs from Costa Rica to Surinam and Peru

  • Distribution

    Wet montane forests of Atlantic slope; 300–2500 m. Mexico; Bel, Guat, Hond, Nic.

    Mexico North America| Nicaragua Central America| Honduras Central America| Guatemala Central America| Belize Central America|