''Neoblechnum'' is a
genus of
ferns in the family
Blechnaceae, subfamily Blechnoideae, with a single species ''Neoblechnum brasiliense'', according to the
Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group
The Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group, or PPG, is an informal international group of systematic botanists who collaborate to establish a consensus on the classification of pteridophytes (lycophytes and ferns) that reflects knowledge about plant relation ...
classification of 2016 (PPG I).
[ The genus is accepted in a 2016 classification of the family Blechnaceae,][ but other sources sink it into a very broadly defined ''Blechnum'', equivalent to the whole of the PPG I subfamily;][ the species is then known as ''Blechnum brasiliense''. It is called Brazilian dwarf tree fern, red Brazilian tree fern, and red dwarf tree fern.][ GRIN-Global Web v 1.9.7.1: Taxonomy profile for ''Blechnum brasiliense'']
/ref>
Description
The erect rhizome of ''Neoblechnum brasiliense'' forms a thin stipe-stubbed trunk up to in height. The new foliage is a striking deep red color. As the fronds mature it turns to a glossy green.[ On some selections, the new fronds emerge a pinkish-red.
]
Distribution
The fern is native to the warm and humid subtropical forests of South America.[ Forest Ferns.uk: cultivation of ''Blechnum brasiliense'']
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Habitats include:[
* the Atlantic Forest biome, within southeastern Brazil, Uruguay, and the interiors of Argentina and Paraguay.
* the Amazon region, in Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, ]Colombia
Colombia (, ; ), officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country in South America with insular regions in North America—near Nicaragua's Caribbean coast—as well as in the Pacific Ocean. The Colombian mainland is bordered by the Car ...
, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Guyana
Guyana ( or ), officially the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern mainland of South America. Guyana is an indigenous word which means "Land of Many Waters". The capital city is Georgetown. Guyana is bordered by the ...
.
* Guatemala
Guatemala ( ; ), officially the Republic of Guatemala ( es, República de Guatemala, links=no), is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico; to the northeast by Belize and the Caribbean; to the east by H ...
.
Cultivation
''Neoblechnum brasiliense'' is cultivated as an ornamental plant.[ In the UK (under the synonym ''Blechnum brasiliense'') it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's ]Award of Garden Merit
The Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is a long-established annual award for plants by the British Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It is based on assessment of the plants' performance under UK growing conditions.
History
The Award of Garden Merit ...
.
Cultivars
Named cultivars include:
* 'Crispum' — segments have prominently crisped margins[
* 'Cristatum' — segments are crested][
* 'Volcano' — red dwarf tree fern, new foliage is red Thompson-morgan.com: ''Blechnum brasiliense'' 'Volcano' (Red Dwarf tree fern)]
/ref>
Gallery
Blechnum brasiliense in Jardin des Plantes 02.JPG, New red fronds emerging, Jardin des Plantes conservatory
Blechnum brasiliense - United States Botanic Garden - DSC09568.JPG, Specimen in the United States Botanic Garden conservatory
Blechnum brasiliense.jpg
References
{{Taxonbar, from1=Q30110346, from2=Q42749207, from3=Q4925781
Blechnaceae
Monotypic fern genera