Cyathea imrayana

Cyathea imrayana is a species of tree fern native to Dominica, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

The plant grows in submontane rain forest understorey and riparian zones on riverbanks, at an altitude of 1,000–2,000 metres (3,300–6,600 ft).

Description

Cyathea imrayana is species with an erect trunk that is 8–10 metres (26–33 ft) tall and 10–15 centimetres (3.9–5.9 in) in diameter. It is covered with sharp, blackish spines and pale brown hairs. Fronds are bipinnate, 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft) in length, and occur in whorls of five. The crown is large and spreading, especially in young plants.

The rachis and stipe range in colouration from brown to dark brown and bear bicoloured scales (brown centre and paler margin) with a terminal seta. Scales on pinnule veins are whitish. Sori are round and borne on either side of the pinnule midvein, towards the base of the pinnule segment. They are protected by red-brown, globose indusia.

Varieties

There are two distinct varieties of this species. One is Cyathea imrayana var. caribaea, which was originally described as a species. It is endemic to the island of Saint Vincent.

The specific epithet imrayana commemorates plant collector John Imray (1811-1880), who collected the type material.

This Cyathea imrayana is not to be confused with Cyathea imrayana used as a synonym of Cnemidaria grandifolia ((W. J. Hooker) Domin, 1929).

References

• Braggins, John E. & Large, Mark F. 2004. Tree Ferns. Timber Press, Inc., pp. 145-146. ISBN 0-88192-630-2
• The International Plant Names Index: Cyathea imrayana