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Psilotum ×intermedium

Scientific Name: Psilotum ×intermedium

Family: Psilotaceae

Category: Whisk-fern

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Psilotum: The Whisk Fern

Psilotum, commonly known as whisk fern, is a genus of primitive vascular plants. It belongs to the family Psilotaceae.

Considerations for Pets

  • Whisk ferns reproduce through spores rather than seeds, which could be a concern if ingested by pets.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Psilotum Sw.
  • Family: Psilotaceae (Gabelblattgewachse)
  • The genus includes two species and one hybrid:
    • Psilotum nudum (L.) Beauv.
    • Psilotum complanatum Sw.
    • Psilotum x intermedium W.H. Wagner (Hybrid of Psilotum complanatum and Psilotum nudum)
  • Synonyms/Alternative Names:
    • Lycopodium nudum (synonym for Psilotum nudum)
    • Psilotum nudum var. oahuense
    • Psilotum oahuensis
  • Taxonomic Serial Number (TSN) for Psilotum X intermedium: 507551

Distribution and Habitat

  • Psilotum species are pantropical plants.
  • Psilotum intermedium is found in Hawaii (USA), specifically in areas like Lana'i and Maui.
  • They can be found from Oklahoma to North Carolina In dry rocky cliffs

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Psilotum species are fern-like vascular plants with whisklike green stems.
  • Psilotum x intermedium sporophytes produce sporangia.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Psilotum can sometimes be found growing alongside plants like Tmesipteris elongata, and Tmesipteris tannensis.

Further Information

  • EOL (Encyclopedia of Life) has information about Psilotum intermedium.
  • World Ferns: Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World in the Catalogue of Life.
  • North American Plant Atlas (BONAP).