Gleichenia abscida

Dwarf coral fern
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
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]

Morphology

Multiple stipes (25–40), 9–46 cm long, with fronds up to 65 cm in length, arise from long creeping rhizomes 2.5–3.5 mm in diameter.[2] Scaly rounded pinnules 1–2 mm across, with flat adaxial surfaces and strongly recurved into an abaxial pouch, hold sori of 2–4 sporangia.[2]

G. abscida growing in its typical exposed alpine habitat.

References

1. Rodway, Leonard (1903). The Tasmanian Flora. Hobart: John Vail, Government Printer. p. 289.
2. "Gleichenia abscida". Flora of Australia Online. Australian Biological Resources Study. Retrieved 13 October 2016.