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alsophila
Scientific Name: Alsophila
Family: Cyatheaceae
Category: Fern
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Alsophila: A Diverse Group of Plants and Moths
The name Alsophila refers to both a section within the subgenus Cyathea (tree ferns) and a genus of moths (family Geometridae). This page explores both uses of the name, focusing on their distinct characteristics and classifications.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- Some Alsophila species are tree ferns with finely divided fronds.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Alsophila (tree ferns): Originally considered a genus, now a section within the subgenus Cyathea. It belongs to the family Cyatheaceae and the major group Pteridophytes (Ferns and Allies).
- Alsophila (moths): A genus within the moth family Geometridae, subfamily Alsophilinae. The original genus was Geometra Linnaeus, 1758.
Selected Species and Their Characteristics
- Alsophila pometaria: The fall cankerworm, a moth found in North America (Nova Scotia to Alberta, south to Colorado). Females are wingless and often found on tree trunks.
- Alsophila aceraria: A moth species found in southwestern Europe, from France to Germany, Austria, Italy, and western Ukraine.
- Alsophila aescularia: The March Moth, found in open woodland in Europe. Wingspan is 25-35 mm.
- Alsophila setosa: A tree fern found in primary and secondary forests of southern Brazil.
- Alsophila elata: A scaly tree fern from the Tucuman-Bolivian Forest, occurring in northwestern Argentina.
Synonyms and Alternative Names
- Cyathea australis is also known as Alsophila australis.
- Synonyms for Alsophila corcovadensis include Polypodium corcovadense and Polypodium taenitis.
Distribution and Habitat
- Tree ferns of the section Alsophila are found in tropical mountainous regions.
- Alsophila pometaria is native to North America.
- Alsophila aceraria is found in southwestern Europe.
- Alsophila setosa occurs in forests in southern and southeastern Brazil.
- Alsophila elata is found in northwestern Argentina (Tucuman-Bolivian Forest).
Ecological Role
- Alsophila pometaria (fall cankerworm) is a common native pest of hardwood trees in North America.
- Alsophila setosa is found in primary and secondary forests.
Quirky Facts
- Some Alsophila moth species exhibit strong sexual dimorphism, with wingless females.
- The male Alsophila pometaria has a distinctive way of resting with overlapping wings.
Genetic and Cytological Information
- The Alsophila cp (chloroplast) genome is 156,661 base pairs (bp) in size and has a typical quadripartite structure with large (LSC) and small single copy (SSC) regions.
- Studies have examined the genetic differentiation and phylogeographical patterns of Alsophila spinulosa populations.
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Alsophila setosa can host epiphytic ferns.
- Leaves of Alsophila spinulosa contain xanthine oxidase inhibitors.
Further Information
- Polypodiopsida of North America Update database (version 2011)
- A revision of the genus Alsophila (Cyatheaceae) in the Americas - biodiversitylibrary.org/part/27408
- Learn more about Alsophila on ARKive.
- DELTA database for the genus Alsophila.