Cyathea robertsiana

Cyatheaceae

Cyathea robertsiana (F.Muell.) Domin

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/91741

Rhizome erect, to 7 m tall, to 10 cm diam., green at the apex, becoming brown and woody with age, bearing a lax spiral of fronds which leave oval scars when shed. Stipe to 40 cm long; basal scales to 10 mm long, c. 3 mm wide, brown, with a thin ±hyaline fragile margin, lacking apical seta; distal scales shorter and caducous. Lamina to 2.6 m long; largest pinnae 30–50 cm long, with 3 pairs below them progressively shorter; pinna rachis hairy on lower surface; pinnules 5–10 cm long, 1.4–2.5 cm wide, lobed to a very narrow wing along costa; lobes widely spaced and deeply lobulate; largest lobules crenate; veins to 10 pairs, pinnate in larger lobules; costa, costules and veins with pale, erect hairs, to 1 mm long and broad, flat, with caducous scales on their lower surfaces; upper surfaces with short scattered hairs on and between veins. Sori 1 per lobule; indusium small, eclipsed by mature sporangia.

Endemic to NE QLD between Cooktown and Eungella.

Terrestrial in montane rainforest, usually on margins and in well lit areas.