Osmunda_spectabilis

<i>Osmunda spectabilis</i>

Osmunda spectabilis

Species of fern

Quick Facts Osmunda spectabilis, Conservation status ...

Osmunda spectabilis, known as American royal fern, is a species of fern native to a large area of the New World, from the eastern half of Canada and the United States to Argentina.[2][3]

Description

Osmunda spectabilis is an easy fern to recognize in the New World flora. Although it closely resembles species O. regalis, O. japonica, and O. lancea, only O. spectabilis is found growing naturally in the New World. The fronds of O. spectabilis can exceed 1 meter in length and are bipinnate. The pinnules are attached by a very narrow base. The plant produces separate sterile and fertile fronds. Fertile fronds are similar to the sterile fronds, in the lower and middle portions, but the top-most pinnae are fertile and they are much reduced and brown when mature in the early summer.[4]

  • Closeup of sterile frond
  • Mature plant

Distribution and habitat

American royal fern is most commonly found growing in wetter soils such as those found in wet forests, bogs, and along streams and lakes.[5]

Taxonomy

Osmunda

Osmunda spectabilis was formerly considered to be a variety of Osmunda regalis (Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis). Another variety, Osmunda spectabilis var. brasiliensis, (formerly Osmunda regalis var. brasiliensis) also exists in tropical regions of Central and South America, but it is only recognized by some authors.

Osmunda angustifolia, Osmunda bromeliifolia, and all extinct Osmunda species are missing from this cladogram. The classification is based on the genetic analysis presented in "The Paraphyly of Osmunda is Confirmed by Phylogenetic Analyses of Seven Plastid Loci."[6]

References

  1. [1]
    Bárrios, S.; Copeland, A. (2021). "Osmunda spectabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T192142965A192142967. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192142965A192142967.en. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  2. [2]
    "Osmunda spectabilis Willd". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  3. [3]
    "Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis". www.marylandbiodiversity.com. Maryland Biodiversity Project. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  4. [4]
    Fewless, Gary. "Royal Fern". Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  5. [5]
    "Royal Fern". Connecticut Botanical Society. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  6. [6]
    Metzgar, Jordan S., Judith E. Skog, Elizabeth A. Zimmer, and Kathleen M. Pryer (2008). "The Paraphyly of Osmunda is Confirmed by Phylogenetic Analyses of Seven Plastid Loci." Systematic Botany https://sites.duke.edu/pryerlab/files/2017/12/metzgar-et-al-osmunda-2008.original.pdf
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