Cyathea acanthophora

Cyathea acanthophora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Cyatheales
Family:	Cyatheaceae
Genus:	Cyathea
Subgenus:	Cyathea
Section:	Alsophila
Species:	C. acanthophora
Binomial name
Cyathea acanthophora Holttum, 1962
Synonyms
Alsophila acanthophora (Holttum) Tryon, 1970

Cyathea acanthophora is a species of tree fern endemic to Kinabalu National Park in Borneo, where it grows in montane rain forest at an altitude of 1250-2000 m. The trunk is erect and can grow as tall as 5 m or higher. Fronds are 2-3 m in length and bi- or tripinnate. The stipe is dark towards the base and has slender spines. It is covered with scattered scales, which are glossy brown and have a narrow paler margin. Sori occur near the midvein of fertile pinnules. They are covered in thin, fragile indusia, which resemble small saucers.

References

• Braggins, John E. & Large, Mark F. 2004. Tree Ferns. Timber Press, Inc., pp. 87-88. ISBN 0-88192-630-2
• The International Plant Names Index: Cyathea acanthophora