Cyathea

Cladus: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Divisio: Pteridophyta
Subdivisio: Pterophyta
Classis: Pteridopsida
Ordo: Cyatheales
Familia: Cyatheaceae
Genus: Cyathea
Subgenera: C. subg. Cyathea - C. subg. Hymenophyllopsis - C. subg. Sphaeropteris - Unassigned

References

* Christenhusz, M.J.M. 2009: New combinations and an overview of Cyathea subg. Hymenophyllopsis (Cyatheaceae). Phytotaxa, 1: 37–42. Preview
* Christenhusz, M.J.M. 2009: Index to new taxa and nomenclatural acts in Phytotaxa 1. Phytotaxa, 1: 60. PDF
* Lehnert, M. 2009: Three new species of scaly tree ferns (Cyathea-Cyatheaceae) from the northern Andes. Phytotaxa, 1: 43–56. Preview PDF

Vernacular names

* Maori: Ponga

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.

The best known species include:

* Cyathea brownii, the Norfolk Tree Fern
* Cyathea cooperi, the Australian Tree Fern or Lacy Tree Fern
* Cyathea dealbata, the Silver Tree Fern
* Cyathea medullaris, the New Zealand Black Tree Fern

Classification

The classification below follows the findings of Conant et al. in 1996 . Conant concluded, based on molecular cpDNA and morphological evidence, that a system of three clades — Alsophila, Cyathea and Sphaeropteris, whereby Alsophila is most basal and Cyathea and Sphaeropteris are derived sister groups — is the most accurate reflection of evolutionary lineages within the Cyatheaceae.