Cyathea bellisquamata Bonap.

Janssen, Thomas & Rakotondrainibe, France, 2008, A revision of the indusiate scaly tree ferns (Cyatheaceae, Cyathea subgen. Alsophila sect. Alsophila) in Madagascar, the Comoros and the Seychelles, Adansonia (3) 30 (2), pp. 221-376 : 286

22. Cyathea bellisquamata Bonap.

REMARKS

Cyathea bellisquamata has comparatively large, elliptic to oblanceolate, pinnate-pinnatisect or rarely deeply pinnate-pinnatifid leaves as well as usually dense and long, light to dark brown, persistent petiole scales. A rather stout trunk with a muricate surface and rounded leaf scars is characteristic for all varieties of this species. Morphological variability within Cyathea bellisquamata is particularly high. Lamina dissection, petiole length and colour together with scale colour and density are the principal characters for the separation of varieties. Complete specimens are required for unambiguous identification.

KEY TO THE VARIETIES OF CYATHEA BELLISQUAMATA

1. Petiole scales up to 1.5 cm long, straight, sparse and distant to contiguous; lamina pinnatepinnatifid, i.e. adjacent pinnules always confluent with their bases in the lower third of the pinnae; pinnule apex distinctly acute ........................................... 22c. var. australis

— Petiole scales at least 2 cm long, straight to crispate, dense and overlapping; lamina pinnate-pinnatisect, i.e. adjacent pinnules separated by a short stretch of the costa or with contiguous bases in the lower third of the pinnae; pinnule apex rounded to obtuse, rarely acute .......................................................................................................................... 2

2. Petiole (18-) 25-60 cm long, basal pinnae not densely and regularly decrescent, distinctly spaced; petiole stramineous to brown ............................................. 22d. var. basilobata

— Petiole up to 18 cm long, basal pinnae densely and regularly decrescent, slightly spaced to overlapping; petiole light brown to dark violaceous brown ..................................... 3

3. Petiole and rachis with a reddish to violaceous tinge; petiole scales shiny, light brown to brown ....................................................................................... 22a. var. bellisquamata

— Petiole and rachis never with a reddish to violaceous tinge; petiole scales dull, brown to dark brown ...................................................................................... 22b. var. ambrensis