''Alsophila balanocarpa'', synonym ''Cyathea balanocarpa'', is a species of

tree fern The tree ferns are arborescent (tree-like) ferns that grow with a trunk elevating the fronds above ground level, making them trees. Many extant tree ferns are members of the order Cyatheales, to which belong the families Cyatheaceae (scaly tree ...

native to

Cuba Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...

Jamaica Jamaica (; ) is an island country situated in the Caribbean Sea. Spanning in area, it is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola). Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, and west of His ...

and Hispaniola. Despite its wide distribution, little is known about this species. It is apparently of

hybrid Hybrid may refer to: Science * Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding ** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species ** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...

origin. In southeastern Cuba it hybridises with '' Alsophila woodwardioides'' to form the natural hybrid ''Alsophila'' × ''boytelii''.

References

balanocarpa Flora of Cuba Flora of the Dominican Republic Flora of Haiti Flora of Jamaica Flora without expected TNC conservation status {{alsophila-plant-stub