Alsophila caudata
Template:Use dmy dates Template:Short description Template:Speciesbox
Alsophila caudata, synonym Cyathea caudata,[1] is a species of tree fern native to the islands of Luzon and Mindanao in the Philippines, where it grows in montane forest. The trunk is erect and up to 4 m tall or more. Fronds are bi- or tripinnate and 1–2 m long. The stipe is warty and covered with dark, narrow, glossy scales. Sori are borne near the midvein of fertile pinnules and are protected by firm, brown indusia.[2] Template:As of, Plants of the World Online treated it as a synonym of Alsophila speciosa.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was first described, as Cyathea caudata, by John Smith in 1841. Template:As of, World Ferns accepted the species as Alsophila caudata,[4] whereas Plants of the World Online treated it as a synonym of Alsophila speciosa.[3]
In 2004, it was said that the closest relatives of A. caudata appear to be the smaller Alsophila edanoi and Alsophila heterochlamydea. Further study was needed to determine whether all three should be retained as separate species.[2]