Lygodium reticulatum

Schizeaceae

Lygodium reticulatum Schkuhr

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/100441

Rhizome long-creeping. Juvenile fronds once-forked; pinnae 4-lobed; margins serrulate. Rachis glabrous to densely pubescent, subterete, flattened on 1 side with ridged edges; primary rachis branches 1–2 mm long; secondary pinnae ovate to oblong, 8–20 cm long, 6–16 cm wide, 1-pinnate, rarely 2-pinnate at base; pinnule stalks usually reducing towards pinna apex; ultimate pinnules oblong to lanceolate or ovate, cordate to truncate at base, 3–8 (–14) cm long, 8–30 mm wide, coriaceous, persistent; margins finely crenulate; veins reticulate; sterile pinnules usually narrower and longer than sporogenous ones. Sporogenous lobes 2–7 mm long.

NE QLD from Maloneys Springs to Shoalwater Bay. Also in Asia and Malesia.

Terrestrial climber in lowland to upper montane vine forest, particularly on forest margins and in riparian areas with a broken canopy.

This species can form large climber towers in disturbed rainforest.

Lygodium flexuosum and Lygodium microphyllum.

1a. Lateral veins in pinnules forming a network = Lygodium reticulatum

1b. Lateral veins in pinnules not forming a network = 2

2a. Pinnules articulated at base, deciduous = Lygodium microphyllum

2b. Pinnules not articulated at base, persistent (look for dead pinnules hanging on frond) = Lygodium flexuosum