Lomariocycas tabularis

Lomariocycas tabularis, synonym Blechnum tabulare,[1] known as the mountain blechnum is a large, attractive fern that is indigenous to sub-saharan Africa.

Lomariocycas tabularis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Aspleniineae
Family: Blechnaceae
Genus: Lomariocycas
Species:
L. tabularis
Binomial name
Lomariocycas tabularis
(Thunb.) Gasper & A.R.Sm.[1]
Synonyms[1]
  • Blechnum cycadoides (Pappe & Rawson) Kuhn
  • Blechnum dalgairnsiae (Pappe & Rawson) Kuhn
  • Blechnum gueinzii (Moug.ex Fée) Moore
  • Blechnum imperiale (Fée & Glaz.) Christ
  • Blechnum salicifolium Ettingsh.
  • Blechnum schottianum Mett
  • Blechnum tabulare (Thunb.) Kuhn
  • Blechnum wolamense Cufod.
  • Lomaria boryana (Sw.) Willd.
  • Lomaria cinnamomea Kaulf.
  • Lomaria coriacea Schrad.
  • Lomaria cycadoides Pappe & Rawson
  • Lomaria dalgairnsiae Pappe & Rawson
  • Lomaria gueinzii Moug.ex Fée
  • Lomaria imperialis Fée & Glaz.
  • Lomaria tabularis (Thunb.) Mett.ex Baker
  • Lonchitis tabularis (Thunb.) Farw.
  • Onoclea boryana Sw.
  • Pteris osmundoides Bory
  • Pteris tabularis Thunb.
  • Spicanta tabularis (Thunb.) Kuntze
  • Spicanta osmundoides (Bory) Kuntze
  • Struthiopteris imperialis (Fée & Glaz.ex Fée) Ching

Description

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They grow in a similar way to the classic tree ferns (Cyathea), and are also often mistaken for being cycads.

This species can be distinguished from related species by the bases of its pinnae. This is the only species in which the base of each pinna has an uneven shape. All other species have equally shaped pinna bases.[2]

Distribution and habitat

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It occurs from Cape Town, South Africa, in the south, as far north as Uganda and Nigeria. This fern's natural habitat is along river banks and on the margins of afro-montane forests. It grows very well in shady areas, making it a popular plant for African gardens. Unfortunately this has led to a large illegal trade in these plants which has seen their numbers decline.

References

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  1. ^ a b c Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (November 2019), "Lomariocycas tabularis", Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World, 8.11, retrieved 2019-12-22
  2. ^ "Blechnum tabulare".
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