Cyathea imrayana Hook.

• Authority

  Mori, S. A., et al. 1997. Guide to the vascular plants of central French Guiana: Part 1. Pteridophytes, gymnosperms, and monocotyledons. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76: 1-422.

• Family

  Cyatheaceae

• Scientific Name

  Cyathea imrayana Hook.

• Description

  Species Description - Trunks to 10 m X 20 cm, with black spines to 25 mm long. Fronds 4-5, bipinnate-pinnatifid, to 3 m long; petiole 75-120 cm, with black spines, 7-14 mm long, densely covered with linear scales, 10-12 mm long; blade 3 X 1.4 m, the rachis with scales identical to those of petiole; central pinnae 90 X 25 cm, the basal pinnae 12 X 1.5 cm, the rachis of pinnae with small black scales; pinnules sessile, 14 X 2 cm, the pinnules incised to 9/10 their width, the ultimate segments falcate, with rounded apex and crenulate margins, the basal pair free, with 16 pairs of branched veins the abaxial surface with brownish, appressed hairs, with laciniate scales on the midrib, the adaxial surface, except midrib, with short hairs. Sori inserted near midribs of ultimate segments; indusia present. Uncommon, in cloud forest.