Sphaeropteris crinita, synonyms Alsophila crinita and Cyathea crinita, is a species of tree fern native to India and Sri Lanka.[3][4] It is considered to be endangered.

Sphaeropteris crinita
In Hakgale Botanical Garden
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Cyatheales
Family: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Sphaeropteris
Species:
S. crinita
Binomial name
Sphaeropteris crinita
Synonyms[2]
  • Cyathea crinita (Hook.) Copel. (1909)
  • Alsophila crinita Hook. (1844)

Distribution and habitat

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Sphaeropteris crinita is found between 1,500 and 2,200 m in the Western Ghats of India and in the central wet zone of Sri Lanka, in about 15 locations. Few individual plants are found together, along streams and in marshy areas.[5]

Conservation

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The species is considered to be endangered; threats include road construction and use of the entire plant for ornamental purposes.[5] An in-vitro protocol for propagation has been developed,[6] and ex-situ populations established at two locations.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Irudayaraj, V. (2011). "Alsophila crinita". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T194149A8883163. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b Sphaeropteris crinita (Hook.) R.M.Tryon. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Alsophila crinita Hook". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  4. ^ Hassler, Michael (2004–2021), "Genus Alsophila R.Br.", World Ferns. Synonymic Checklist and Distribution of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. Version 12.3, retrieved 28 July 2021
  5. ^ a b c "Cyathea crinita (Hook.) Copel". India Biodiversity Portal. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  6. ^ Sara, S. Catharin & Manickam, V.S. (2005). "In Vitro Propagation of the Critically Endangered Fern Cyathea crinita (Hook.) Copel". Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences. 7 (3): 527–536. Retrieved 28 July 2021.