Cyclosorus
Cyclosorus is a genus of the marsh fern family Thelypteridaceae, and is native to Western Australia.The genus is referred to as "marsh" ferns to describe their desired wet or inundated habitats. Australia has only one native Cyclosorus specie, Cyclosorus interruptus.
Cyclosorus is a terrestrial fern growing in swamps or on creek banks, where it may be partially inundated (Bennett, n/d). The plant is commonly found in wetlands and damp areas, however, may also extend into semi-terrestrial areas (Irudayaraj, 2013).
Figure 1.1: Cyclosorus interruptus pinnae (AoLA, 2014).
Figure 1.2: Cyclosorus interruptus pinnae under the sun (AoLA, 2014).
Figure 1.3: Cyclosorus interruptus under the sun, (bottom left) and water beneath the fern (AoLA, 2014).
Cyclosorus interruptus is listed as not threatened on the West Australian flora base website, these species is not endangered in Western Australia.
ICUN status: Least concern (LC).
The main activity threatening this native specie is human industrialization, which results in clearing of bush land and loss of native species and habitats.
The rhizome (stem) is long and horizontally creeping, 4-6mm in diameter, chestnut-brown, sparsely covered in scales and loses hair as it matures (Bostock & Holttum, 1998). The Fronds are spaced 12-15cm apart. Each frond has a total length of 100cm (1m) from base to the tip (Spooner, 2014). The frond (stipe) is leafless between the base and middle area (45cm), this area is usually hairy, becoming less-hairy at maturity (Spooner, 2014). Singular stems called pinnae branch off the stipe at approximately 90 degree angles, which have a tenancy to point towards the direction of the tip (Bostock & Holttum, 1998). Lobed leaflets grow off the pinnae (1 pinnate). Each leaflet has a single vein that runs up the mid line (Spooner, 2014). Red or orange glands are scattered randomly on the surface of each leaflet (Bostock & Holttum, 1998). The veins between adjacent leaflets merge together to form a long concave vein/midrib (costa) (Bostock & Holtum, 1998). The leaflets of each pinnae are joined to the costa, and the costa branches off the stipe (the centre stem of the frond) (Spooner, 2014). The spore producing bodies (sorus) are present on the veins of each leaflet (Spooner, 2014). A thin membrane (indusium) covers the sorus, and bares bears copious amounts of needle-shaped hairs (Bostock & Holttum, 2014).
Cylosorus grows in wetlands, marshes, lakes, paddy fields in large gregarious colonies, but may also be found in semi-terrestrial ecosystems (Irudayaraj, 2013).
There is little literature on Cyclsosorus, and even less on the evolution of this genus.
Kingdom - Plantae
Phylum -Pteridophyta
Class - Pteridopsida
Order - Athyridales
Family - Thelypteridacea
Genus - Cyclosorus
Species - Cyclosorus interruptus
The Thelypteridacae are a large family with five genera (Schuettpelz & Pryer, 2008). The family is descended from a common ancestor or group, one which is not shared with any other group (Schuettpelz & Pryer, 2008). Cyclsorus and Thelypteris are the main genera of the family, the other 3 genera are smaller sister clades to the main two (Schuettpelz & Pryer, 2008). Schuettpelz and Pryer (2008) state that the thelypteroid clade is in need of of considerable phylogenic study, there is little or no published literature on the phylogeny of Cyclosorus.
Figure 1.4: Phylogeny of Thelypteridacea (Schuettpelz & Pryer, 2008).
Cyclosorus is abundant throughout the north coast of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and also around the costal areas of Queensland and New South Whales.
Figure 1.5: Geographical distribution of Cyclosorus in Australia (AoLA, 2014).
Figure 1.6: Geographical distribution of Cyclosorus in Western Australia (Spooner, 2014).
Cyclosorus is commonly found in black peaty sand or sand containing alluvium, near swaps, and areas of dense bush and small trees (Spooner, 2014).
This species is used as green manure as a source of nutrient for banana growth, it also has antimicrobial and growth promoting properties (Irudayaraj, 2013).
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