Phlegmariurus carinatus

Lycopodiaceae

Phlegmariurus carinatus (Desv. ex Poir.) Ching

Link to Australian Plant Name Index for publication details and synonyms: https://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/242303

Keeled Tassel-Fern, Coen Tassel-Fern

Epiphytic plants. Branches at first erect, later pendulous, branched 1–several times, to 40 (–80) cm long. Leaves arranged in 4 rows, spreading, angled at 30° to axis, thick and leathery, firm, linear-lanceolate, acicular, keeled, entire, 10–13 mm long, 0.8–2 mm wide, mid-green to yellow-green. Transition from sterile to sporogenous zone gradual. Sporogenous zone unbranched or branched once or twice, occupying at least the upper third of the branch. Sporophylls ovate-cuspidate to lanceolate, acute, entire, keeled, 4–8 mm long, 1–2.5 mm wide. Sporangium occupying one-eighth to less than half sporophyll length.

In Australia restricted to a small area of the Iron Range and McIlwraith Range on Cape York, QLD. Asia, Malesia, Australia and Pacific Islands.

In Australia it is a canopy epiphyte of trees in seasonally wet hot tropical vine forest, usually on the upper slopes and plateaus.

The two Australian populations have been affected by tropical cyclones and illegal collecting.

Readily cultivated in a hanging container of free draining mix or in a nest-fern in a moist shaded tropical garden or fernery. This species is more tolerant of dry conditions than many other Australian Tassel-ferns.

Can be distinguished from other Australian Phlegmariurus by having adpressed semisucculent lycophylls.