Gymnosphaera khasyana

Cyathea khasyana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Cyatheales
Family:	Cyatheaceae
Genus:	Cyathea
Subgenus:	Cyathea
Section:	Alsophila
Species:	C. khasyana
Binomial name
Cyathea khasyana (Moore ex Kuhn) Domin, 1929 (republ. 1930)
Synonyms
Alsophila khasyana Moore ex Kuhn, 1869 Alsophila oldhami Beddome, 1870 Cyathea oldhamii (Beddome) Domin, 1930 Alsophila ornata Scott ex Beddome, 1870 Cyathea ornata (Scott ex Beddome) Copeland, 1909 Alsophila scottiana Baker, 1872 Alsophila comosa Scott, 1874 (non Alsophila comosa Wallich, 1829; quae Cyathea squamulata, non Alsophila comosa C. Christensen, 1897; quae Cyathea elmeri) Alsophila sikkimensis Clarke & Baker, 1888

Cyathea khasyana is a species of tree fern. Its natural distribution extends from India to Myanmar, although it is absent from Sri Lanka. C. khasyana grows in forest at an altitude of 1400-1700 m. The trunk of this plant is erect and 5-7 m tall. Fronds may be bi- or tripinnate and 2-3 m in length. C. khasyana has a long, dark stipe that is covered in numerous scales. These scales are dark and have broad, pale, fringed edges. Sori are borne near the midvein of fertile pinnules and lack indusia.

The specific epithet khasyana refers to the Khasi Hills of India.

References

• Braggins, John E. & Large, Mark F. 2004. Tree Ferns. Timber Press, Inc., p. 150. ISBN 0-88192-630-2
• The International Plant Names Index: Cyathea khasyana