Gleichenia abscida

Gleichenia abscida, commonly known as dwarf coral fern, is an uncommon alpine fern found in southwestern Tasmania. Described by English born dentist and botanist Leonard Rodway,^[1] that which distinguishes G. abscida the most from all other species of Gleichenia is its frond. While each other species of Gleichenia have a repetitively branching frond, G. abscida's frond consists of just two blades, with the apical axil between these two blades lacking meristematic tissue.^[2]

Morphology

Multiple stipes (25–40), 9–46 cm long, with fronds up to 65 cm in length, arise from long creeping rhizomes 2.5–3.5 mm in diameter.^[2] Scaly rounded pinnules 1-2 mm across, with flat adaxial surfaces and strongly recurved into an abaxial pouch, hold sori of 2–4 sporangia.^[2]

G. abscida growing in its typical exposed alpine habitat. Image credit: Matthew Baker, TMAG Herbarium.

References