Phlegmariurus phlegmaria | |
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Growing in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden | |
Conservation status | |
Rare (NCA) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Lycophytes |
Class: | Lycopodiopsida |
Order: | Lycopodiales |
Family: | Lycopodiaceae |
Genus: | Phlegmariurus |
Species: | P. phlegmaria |
Binomial name | |
Phlegmariurus phlegmaria (L.) Holub | |
Synonyms | |
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Phlegmariurus phlegmaria, synonym Huperzia phlegmaria, commonly known as either coarse tassel fern or common tassel fern, is an epiphytic species native to rainforests in Madagascar, some islands in the Indian Ocean, Asia, Australasia and many Pacific Islands. Phlegmariurus phlegmaria is commonly found in moist forests and rainforests at high altitudes, in and amongst mosses and other epiphytes. Members of the order Lycopodiales are commonly referred to as clubmosses.
Description
A vascular species of lycophyte, Phlegmariurus phlegmaria resembles many species of moss. The specialised fluid-conducting tissues of vascular plants distinguish lycophytes from the more basal bryophytes (mosses and liverworts). The diploid sporophyte stage of the life cycle of lycophytes is dominant. Sporophytes produce tetrahedral spores of 37 × 35 μm, off-white in colour, with angles never exceeding 130°.
Phlegmariurus phlegmaria is a variable species and plants from different regions can vary widely in stature. They can be identified by having petiolate sterile microphylls and small fertile microphylls on thin branching strobili.
Individuals of Phlegmariurus phlegmaria have true root systems. Their elongated aerial stems hang from host trees (up to 80 cm long). The spirally arranged leaves are lanceolate (lance like), narrow and rounded at the base. They become even narrower at the extreme base, where the sporangia are located in the fertile zone of the stem. Leaves of Phlegmariurus phlegmaria are coriaceous (resemble leather). The leaves differ in morphology in the fertile zone, making distinction between the zones easy. Leaves in the fertile zone are known as sporophylls. Sporophylls are club shaped - hence the common name "clubmoss". Homosporous spores are produced in axils.
Native distribution
Phlegmariurus phlegmaria is native to east, west and south tropical Africa (in Cameroon; Comoros; Equatorial Guinea; Gabon; Ghana; Madagascar; Malawi; São Tomé and Príncipe; Sierra Leone; Tanzania (including the Zanzibar Archipelago); and Uganda); temperate and tropical Asia (in the Chinese provinces of Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan; the southern Japanese prefecture of Kyushu, and the Ryukyu Islands; Malaysia; Sri Lanka; Taiwan; and Thailand); Australasia (in the northeast of Queensland in Australia; and New Zealand); and the northwest and southwest Pacific (in Fiji; Guam; and the Chuuk island group of Micronesia). It is likely native, but yet to be reported, in other paleotropic locales.
Biotechnology
Many clubmosses produce highly flammable spores. Historically clubmoss spore coats have been used in the formation of fireworks and used in flash powders in the early life of photography. Clubmoss spores have also been used in the production of fingerprint powder and in the pharmaceutical industry to coat pills.
References
- ^ Hassler, Michael & Schmitt, Bernd (August 2019). "Phlegmariurus phlegmaria". Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World. 8.02. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
- ^ "Phlegmariurus phlegmaria". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
- Rusea G., Claysius K., Runi S., Joanes U., Haja Maideen K.M., Latiff A. (2009) Ecology and distribution of Lycopodiaceae Mirbel in Malaysia, Blumea vol:54, pg:269-271
- ^ Devi Y.S., Singh P.K. (2011) Additional Notes on Spore Morphology of Two Huperzia (Lycopodiaceae) Species and Systematic Significance, Research Journal of Botany vol:6, pg:78-86
- Wikström N., Kendrick P., Chase M. (1999) Epiphytism and terrestrialisation in tropical Huperzia (Lycopodiaceae), Plant Systematics and Evolution vol:218, pg:221-243
Taxon identifiers | |
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Phlegmariurus phlegmaria | |
Huperzia phlegmaria | |
Lycopodium phlegmaria |
- Nature Conservation Act rare biota
- Phlegmariurus
- Plants described in 1753
- Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
- Ferns of Asia
- Epiphytes
- Rare flora of Australia
- Flora of Queensland
- Flora of China
- Flora of the Comoros
- Flora of Fiji
- Flora of Ghana
- Flora of Japan
- Flora of the Ryukyu Islands
- Flora of Madagascar
- Flora of Malawi
- Flora of Malaysia
- Flora of New Zealand
- Flora of the Northwestern Pacific
- Flora of Sierra Leone
- Flora of Sri Lanka
- Flora of Taiwan
- Flora of Tanzania
- Flora of the Zanzibar Archipelago
- Flora of Thailand
- Flora of the Tubuai Islands
- Flora of Uganda
- Flora of West-Central Tropical Africa