Australian Tropical Ferns and Lycophytes - Online edition

Pteris vittata


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

Pteridaceae

Botanical name

Pteris vittata L.

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/72976

Common name

Ladder Brake, Chinese Brake

Description

Terrestrial or lithophytic ferns. Rhizome short-creeping; scales numerous, conspicuous, c. 5 mm long, narrowly triangular, pale brown. Fronds monomorphic, arching, appearing to radiate from a crown. Stipe usually c. 2–25 cm long, pale brown, grooved, scaly towards base. Lamina 1-pinnate, oblong-obovate, c. 15–80 cm long, c. 5–30 cm wide. Pinnae closely spaced, to 25 cm long, narrowly oblong and tapering above, decreasing in length from apex to base, most pinnae attached by midrib only; base subcordate, ±overlying rachis; margins finely serrate in sterile zones. Lowermost pinnae very much shorter, deltoid to cordate; terminal pinna usually the longest; veins free, at ±90° to costa, simple or once-forked. Paraphyses abundant. 

Distribution

Widespread in tropical and subtropical Australia. Also widespread in the Palaeotropics.

Habit and habitat

Terrestrial or lithophytic on rock walls in dry to mesic vine forest or sclerophyll forest near waterholes.

Cultivation

Readily cultivated in the ground or a container in a tropical or subtropical garden or fernhouse.

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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