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Schizaea dichotoma
Scientific Name: Schizaea dichotoma
Family: Schizaeaceae
Category: Fern
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Schizaea dichotoma: The Intriguing Fan Fern
Schizaea dichotoma, a fascinating fern species belonging to the Schizaeaceae family, goes by several common names, reflecting its unique morphology. This page provides an overview of this remarkable plant.
Common Names
- Fan Fern
- Branched Comb Fern
- Forked Comb Fern
- Comb Fern
- Forked Fern
- Split Fern
- Paku Tombak (likely a local name)
- Paku Jarum (likely a local name)
- Fen Zhi Suo Cao Jue (分枝莎草蕨)
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Schizaea dichotoma (L.) Sm.
- Family: Schizaeaceae
- Order: Schizaeales
- Genus: Schizaea
- Species: S. dichotoma
- Synonyms: Acrostichum dichotomum Linnaeus, Schizaea dichotoma (L.) Sw., Schizaea dichotoma (L.) J.E. Smith.
- Authority: Schizaea dichotoma (L.) J.E.Sm.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native Distribution: Mascarene Islands, Sri Lanka, South India, Myanmar, Thailand, Indochina, Malesia to Tahiti, Australia (Northern Territory, Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales), and New Zealand. Also found in Taiwan, China (Hainan), and Ryukyu Islands.
- Native Habitat: Primarily terrestrial, often found in lowland Kauri forests, coastal forests, and geothermal areas.
Morphological Characteristics
- General Appearance: Fronds are clustered and erect, typically ranging from 20 to 40 cm in height, although some can reach 50 cm.
- Rhizome: Short-creeping and densely covered with glossy, dark brown hairs.
- Fronds: Can be scabrid (rough to the touch) and unbranched. Mature fronds feature a flattened, dichotomously branched sterile portion, bearing short, fertile portions with infolded fertile branches.
- Sterile Fronds: Divided regularly into over 20 segments.
Ecological Role
- Mentioned as growing in wetlands.
Quirky Facts
- Schizaea dichotoma is considered an extremely polymorphic species, meaning it exhibits considerable variation in its physical characteristics. This has made taxonomic classification challenging, leading to references to "the small form" or "the large form."
Further Information
- Australian Plant Census: Provides taxonomic data and distribution information.
- Discover Life: Offers comprehensive information on the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Schizaea dichotoma.
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa: Holds scientific specimens of Schizaea dichotoma.