The
fern
A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except t ...
genus ''Leptopteris'' is a small group of plants found growing in the Pacific Islands,
New Guinea
New Guinea (; Hiri Motu
Hiri Motu, also known as Police Motu, Pidgin Motu, or just Hiri, is a language of Papua New Guinea, which is spoken in surrounding areas of Port Moresby (Capital of Papua New Guinea).
It is a simplified version of ...
and
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. They are similar to ferns in the related genus ''
Todea
The fern genus ''Todea'' is known from only two living species. ''Todea barbara'' L., known as the king fern, is native to South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia while ''Todea papuana'' H. is known only from Papua New Guinea. Species in the gen ...
'', and were originally included in that genus. However, the very thin fronds of ''Leptopteris'' differ from the thick leathery fronds of ''
Todea
The fern genus ''Todea'' is known from only two living species. ''Todea barbara'' L., known as the king fern, is native to South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia while ''Todea papuana'' H. is known only from Papua New Guinea. Species in the gen ...
'', and the genera are considered distinct.
A probable extinct species, ''Leptopteris estipularis'' is known from the Early Cretaceous of India.
Species
Species include:
* ''
L. alpina''
(Baker) C. Chr.
* †''
L. estipularis''
(Sharma, Bohra & Singh) Bomfleur, Grimm & McLoughlin
* ''
L. fraseri''
(Hooker & Grev.) Presl (Crepe fern, Australia)
* ''
L. hymenophylloides''
(Richard) Presl (Single crepe fern)
* ''
L. x intermedia''
(André) Brownsey
* ''
L. laxa''
Copeland
* †''
L. minuta''
Romanovskaja
* ''
L. moorei''
(Baker) Christ
* ''
L. superba''
(Colenso) Presl (Prince of Wales feather)
* ''
L. wilkesiana''
(Brack.) Christ
Phylogeny
Phylogeny of ''Leptopteris''
References
Osmundales
Ferns of Asia
Ferns of Australasia
Fern genera
{{Polypodiidae-stub