''Sphaeropteris'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

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 ...

in the family

Cyatheaceae The Cyatheaceae are a family of ferns, the scaly tree ferns, one of eight families in the order Cyatheales in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Alternatively, the family may defined much more broadly (Cyatheaceae '' ...

. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in 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).

Description

Species of ''Sphaeropteris'' have a treelike habit, usually with a single tall stem, and large fronds to or more in length. The stalk (stipe) of the frond is strawlike or purple in colour, with pale to brown scales. The sori (spore-bearing structures) are rounded, with or without

indusia A sorus (pl. sori) is a cluster of sporangia (structures producing and containing spores) in ferns and fungi. A coenosorus (plural coenosori) is a compound sorus composed of multiple, fused sori. Etymology This New Latin word is from Ancient Gr ...

(covers). ''Sphaeropteris'' is now separated from the other genera in the family Cyatheaceae primarily on the basis of

molecular phylogenetic Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...

studies. However, the scales on the stalks (petioles) provide a morphological distinction. ''Sphaeropteris'' has scales without distinct margins, whereas the other genera have scales with distinct margins.

Taxonomy

The genus ''Sphaeropteris'' was erected by Johann Jakob Bernhardi in 1801. It is placed in the family

. The division of the family into genera has had a long and controversial history. Three or four

clade A clade (), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. Rather than the English term, ...

s have been suggested based on

studies. The

classification of 2016 (PPG I) accepts three genera, related as shown in the cladogram below. ''Sphaeropteris'' is sister to the remaining members of the family. Older sources, such as the New Zealand Organisms Register , place ''Sphaeropteris'' within a very broadly defined ''Cyathea''.

Species

, the ''Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World'' accepted the following species: *'' Sphaeropteris aciculosa'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris aeneifolia ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris agatheti ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris albidosquamata ''Alsophila albidosquamata'', synonyms ''Cyathea albidosquamata'' and ''Sphaeropteris albidosquamata'', is a species of tree fern native to the Maluku Islands, New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago, where it grows in rain forest and montane ...

'' (Rosenst.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris albifrons'' (Vieill. ex E. Fourn.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris albosetacea'' (Bedd.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris angustipinna ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris aramaganensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Kaneh.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris arthropoda ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris assimilis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Hook.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris atrospinosa ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris atrox ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (C.Chr.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris auriculifera ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris binuangensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris brackenridgei ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris brunei ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Christ) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris brunoniana ''Sphaeropteris brunoniana'', synonym ''Cyathea brunoniana'', is a fern in the family Cyatheaceae The Cyatheaceae are a family of ferns, the scaly tree ferns, one of eight families in the order Cyatheales in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Grou ...

'' (Wall. ex Hook.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris capitata ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris carrii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris cooperi ''Sphaeropteris cooperi'', synonym ''Cyathea cooperi'', also known as lacy tree fern, scaly tree fern, or Cooper's tree fern, is a tree fern native to Australia, in New South Wales and Queensland. Description ''Sphaeropteris cooperi'' is a me ...

'' (F.Muell.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris cuatrecasasii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' R. Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris curranii'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris discophora ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris elliptica'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris elmeri'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris excelsa ''Sphaeropteris excelsa'', synonym ''Cyathea brownii'', commonly known as the Norfolk tree fern or smooth tree fern, is probably the largest fern species in the world. It is endemic to Norfolk Island, in the Pacific Ocean near Australia and New ...

'' (Endl.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris feani'' (E.D.Br.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris felina ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Roxb.) Pic. Serm. *''

Sphaeropteris fugax ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris fusca'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris gardneri ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Hook.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris glauca'' (Bl.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris horrida ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Liebm.) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris inaequalis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris insignis'' (D.Eat.) R. Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris insularum'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris integra ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (J.Sm.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris intermedia ''Sphaeropteris intermedia'', synonym ''Cyathea intermedia'', is a species of tree fern endemic to the east coast of New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg ...

'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris intramarginalis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' Windisch *''

Sphaeropteris ledermannii ''Sphaeropteris ledermannii'' is a species of fern in the family Cyatheaceae, native to New Guinea. It was first described by Guido Brause in 1920 as ''Hemitelia ledermannii'', and transferred to ''Sphaeropteris ''Sphaeropteris'' is a gen ...

'' (Brause) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris leucolepis'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris leucotricha'' (Christ) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris lockwoodiana ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' P.G.Windisch *''

Sphaeropteris lunulata ''Sphaeropteris lunulata'' is a species of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae, native from Sulawesi in Malesia and the Bismarck Archipelago in Papuasia to the western Pacific. It was first described by Georg Forster in 1786 as ''Polypodium lunul ...

'' (G.Forst.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris macarenensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Alston) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris magna ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris marginata'' (Brause) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris medullaris'' (G.Forst.) Bernh. *''

Sphaeropteris megalosora ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris mertensiana'' (Kunze) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris microlepidota ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris mollicula'' (Maxon) R. Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris moluccana'' (Desv.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris moseleyi ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of Cyatheales, tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description S ...

'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris myosuroides'' (Liebm.) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris nigricans ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris novae-caledoniae'' (Mett. ex Fourn.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris obliqua ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris obscura ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Scort.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris papuana ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Ridl.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris parianensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' P.G.Windisch *''

Sphaeropteris parksiae ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris parvifolia'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris parvipinna'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris persquamulifera ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris philippinensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris pilulifera ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris polypoda'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris procera'' (Brause) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris propinqua ''Sphaeropteris propinqua'', synonym ''Cyathea propinqua'', is a species of tree fern native to Fiji and possibly Samoa, where it grows in wet forest. The trunk of this plant is erect and slender, growing to 10 m in height. Fronds may be bi- or ...

'' (Mett.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris pukuana ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (M.Kato) Lehnert & Coritico *''

Sphaeropteris pulcherrima ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris quindiuensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Karsten) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris robinsonii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris robusta ''Sphaeropteris robusta'', synonym ''Cyathea robusta'', is a fern in the family Cyatheaceae. The specific epithet alludes to its robust habit. Description The plant is a treefern with a trunk growing up to 5 m in height; the stipe bases ...

'' (C.Moore ex Watts) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris rosenstockii'' (Brause) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris runensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris sarasinorum ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris senex'' (Alderw.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris senilis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Kl.) R. Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris setifera ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris sibuyanensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris squamulata ''Sphaeropteris squamulata'', synonym ''Cyathea squamulata'', is a species of tree fern native to the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo and the southern Philippines, including the Sulu Archipelago, where it grows in forest from the lowland ...

'' (Bl.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris stipitipinnula ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris strigosa'' (Christ) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris subsessilis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris suluensis'' (Bak.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris tenggerensis ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Rosenst.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris teysmannii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris tomentosa'' (Bl.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris tomentosissima ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of Cyatheales, tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description S ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris trichodesma ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Scort. ex Bedd.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris trichophora ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of Cyatheales, tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description S ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris tripinnata ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris tripinnatifida ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Wall. ex Roxb.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris truncata'' (Brack.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris vaupelii ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris verrucosa ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus ''Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of '' ...

'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris vittata ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris wallacei ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Mett. ex Kuhn) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris werneri'' (Rosenst.) R.M.Tryon *'' Sphaeropteris womersleyi'' (Holtt.) R.M.Tryon *''

Sphaeropteris zamboangana ''Sphaeropteris'' is a genus of tree fern in the family Cyatheaceae. It has been treated as a subgenus within the genus '' Cyathea'', but is accepted in the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). Description Species of ' ...

'' (Copel.) R.M.Tryon

Distribution and habitat

The native distribution of the genus ''Sphaeropteris'' extends from southern China down through eastern tropical Asia to New Zealand, with a separate area in Central America and north-western South America. Some species are also naturalized in Africa and western Australia. Species of ''Sphaeropteris'' are large plants and require space to grow. They usually prefer less shaded conditions than species of ''Alsophila''. They are found in rain forests and tropical montane forests, often in clearings or on the margins, from the canopy layer down to the understorey layer. They are also found in ravines, swamps and disturbed areas.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q17166793 Fern genera