Tree fern that dates back to Gondwana

[Kiran Srivastava]

I would like to know the species name of this giant tree fern which is quite common in the steep hillside forests of Arunachal Pradesh?

 

These giant tree ferns are relics from Gondwana, the super land mass consisting of South America, Africa, Antarctica, India & Australia. When Gondwana broke up and separated into smaller land masses, or continents as we know them now, one of the plants that linked them all was the giant tree ferns.

 

Seeing them for the first time I can only describe it as 'awesome!

 

Cheers,

Kiran Srivastava

Mumbai

kir...@vsnl.net

 

[Swapna Prabhu]

Dear Kiran,

 

Thanks for posting this.

 

There are 11 species of tree fern Genus Cyathea in India distributed mostly in northeast and south India. I do not know much about Pteridophyte taxonomy but sure it is based on the scales and spore holding bodies. Too minute ditails for this.

 

-Swapna 

--
Dr. Swapna Prabhu
Systematic Botanist/ Taxonomist
Bombay Natural History Society
Hornbil House, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg
Dr. Salim Ali Chawk
Mumbai - 400 001.
India.

[J.M. Garg]

What a lovely picture, Kiran ji.

Thanks, Swapna ji for Genus Id.

 

Here are some extracts from Wikipedia link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyathea

Cyathea is a genus of tree ferns, the type genus of the fern order Cyatheales. They are mostly terrestrial ferns, usually with a single tall stem. Rarely, the trunk may be branched or creeping. Many species also develop a fibrous mass of roots at the base of the trunk. The genus has a pantropical distribution, with over 470 species. They grow in habitats ranging from tropical rain forests to temperate woodlands.

The genus name Cyathea is derived from the Greek kyatheion, meaning "little cup", and refers to the cup-shaped sori on the underside of the fronds.

For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en

[Mahadeswara Swamy]

One of the tree ferns(Cyathia?). I hav seen such giant tree ferns in San Francisco Botanical Gardens (USA).


--- On Sat, 13/12/08, Kiran Srivastava <kir...@vsnl.net> wrote:

Get perfect Email ID for your Resume. Grab now http://in.promos.yahoo.com/address

[Kiran Srivastava]

Dear Swapna and Mr. Swamy,

 

Thank you! Tree ferns are also found in Nicobar and Andaman islands.

 

Cheers,

Kiran Srivastava

Mumbai

kir...@vsnl.net

 

 

[Sangeeta]

Wow, This is a most amazing thing you've shared. i had no idea about
this.

Cheers
Sangeeta

> kira...@vsnl.net
>
>  P1050823.jpg
> 259KViewDownload

[J.M. Garg]

Forwarding again incase Vijayadas ji can throw more light on this Cyathea species .

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kiran Srivastava <kir...@vsnl.net>
Date: 2008/12/13
Subject: [indiantreepix:6487] Tree fern that dates back to Gondwana
To: indian...@googlegroups.com
Cc: Flowers of India <flowers...@gmail.com>, WildFlo...@yahoogroups.com

--
With regards,
J.M.Garg (jmg...@gmail.com)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1
'Creating awareness of Indian Flora & Fauna'
Image Resource of thousands of my images of Birds, Butterflies, Flora etc. (arranged alphabetically & place-wise): http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:J.M.Garg
For learning about Indian Flora, visit/ join Google e-group- Indiantreepix:http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en

[Vijayadas D]

Dear,

 

If you remember please give the following details,

 

Spine have or not in stipe,rachis-

Stipe color-

Regards,

 

Vijayadas

--
VijayadasD
Horticulturalist / Estates Supervisor Deputy
Electro Saudi Services Ltd
Salwa Garden Village
Riyadh-11462,PBNO-7210
KSA
vijayadas.wetpaint.com

Ferns are funniest plants..............!!!!!