Australian Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes - Online edition

Diplopterygium longissimum


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Close up of frond showing sori. © G. Sankowsky
Close up of frond showing upper (adaxial) side. © G. Sankowsky
Frond. © G. Sankowsky
Crozier. © G. Sankowsky
Frond. © G. Sankowsky
Habit. © G. Sankowsky
Family

Gleicheniaceae

Botanical name

Diplopterygium longissimum (Blume) Nakai

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/79001

Description

Rhizome 3.5–6 mm diam.; internodes 9–14 cm long. Fronds to 6 m long, scandent, 2-pinnate. Stipes 0.3–1.25 m or more long, stout, initially bearing peltately attached dark brown lanceolate scales with fimbriate margins, glabrescent except near base; rachis initially bearing dark brown scales. Primary pinnae opposite, 0.25–2 m long, 10–40 cm wide. Secondary pinnae linear to lanceolate, 5–22 cm long, 0.8–3.5 cm wide. Ultimate segments divided almost to midrib, linear to triangular, glabrous above; undersurface glaucous-green to glaucous with pale brown obscure scales and branched hairs on midrib and veins; margins entire, often revolute. Sori of 2–4 pale to dark brown sporangia, half-way between margin and midrib. 

Distribution

Occurs in NE QLD from the Mt Windsor Tableland to Eungella. Also in Asia, Malesia and the Pacific Islands.

Habit and habitat

Terrestrial, most commonly seen on road embankments in mid to upper montane rainforest.

Natural history

A pioneer on disturbed sites.

Citation of Australian Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes

Field AR, Quinn CJ, Zich FA (2022) Australian Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes. apps.lucidcentral.org/fern/text/intro/index.htm (accessed online INSERT DATE).

Field AR, Quinn CJ, Zich FA (2022) ‘Platycerium superbum’, in Australian Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes. apps.lucidcentral.org/fern/text/entities/platycerium_superbum.htm (accessed online INSERT DATE).

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