Gleichenia abscida
| Dwarf coral fern | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gleichenia abscida growing north of Federation Peak, Tasmania. Image credit: Matthew Baker, TMAG Herbarium | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Pteridophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida / Pteridopsida (disputed) |
| Order: | Gleicheniales |
| Family: | Gleicheniaceae |
| Genus: | Gleichenia |
| Species: | G. abscida |
| Binomial name | |
| Gleichenia abscida Rodway | |
Gleichenia abscida, commonly known as dwarf coral fern, is an uncommon alpine fern found in southwestern Tasmania. Described by English born dentist and botanist Leonard Rodway,[1] that which distinguishes G. abscida the most from all other species of Gleichenia is its frond. While each other species of Gleichenia have a repetitively branching frond, G. abscida's frond consists of just two blades, with the apical axil between these two blades lacking meristematic tissue.[2] The genus Gleichenia is named in honour of the German biologist Wilhelm Friedrich von Gleichen.
Morphology
Multiple stipes (25–40), 9–46 cm long, with fronds up to 65 cm in length, arise from long creeping rhizomes 2.5–3.5mm in diameter.[2] Scaly rounded pinnules 1-2mm across, with flat adaxial surfaces and strongly recurved into an abaxial pouch, hold sori of 2–4 sporangia.[2]
