Lomariocycas tabularis

Lomariocycas tabularis, synonym Blechnum tabulare,^[1] known as the mountain blechnum is a large, attractive fern that is indigenous to sub-saharan Africa.

Lomariocycas tabularis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Division:	Polypodiophyta
Class:	Polypodiopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Suborder:	Aspleniineae
Family:	Blechnaceae
Genus:	Lomariocycas
Species:	L. tabularis
Binomial name
Lomariocycas tabularis (Thunb.) Gasper & A.R.Sm.[1]
Synonyms[1]
Blechnum cycadoides (Pappe & Rawson) Kuhn Blechnum dalgairnsiae (Pappe & Rawson) Kuhn Blechnum gueinzii (Moug.ex Fée) Moore Blechnum imperiale (Fée & Glaz.) Christ Blechnum salicifolium Ettingsh. Blechnum schottianum Mett Blechnum tabulare (Thunb.) Kuhn Blechnum wolamense Cufod. Lomaria boryana (Sw.) Willd. Lomaria cinnamomea Kaulf. Lomaria coriacea Schrad. Lomaria cycadoides Pappe & Rawson Lomaria dalgairnsiae Pappe & Rawson Lomaria gueinzii Moug.ex Fée Lomaria imperialis Fée & Glaz. Lomaria tabularis (Thunb.) Mett.ex Baker Lonchitis tabularis (Thunb.) Farw. Onoclea boryana Sw. Pteris osmundoides Bory Pteris tabularis Thunb. Spicanta tabularis (Thunb.) Kuntze Spicanta osmundoides (Bory) Kuntze Struthiopteris imperialis (Fée & Glaz.ex Fée) Ching

Description

They grow in a similar way to the classic tree ferns (Cyathea), and are also often mistaken for being cycads.

This species can be distinguished from related species by the bases of its pinnae. This is the only species in which the base of each pinna has an uneven shape. All other species have equally shaped pinna bases.^[2]

Distribution and habitat

It occurs from Cape Town, South Africa, in the south, as far north as Uganda and Nigeria. This fern's natural habitat is along river banks and on the margins of afro-montane forests. It grows very well in shady areas, making it a popular plant for African gardens. Unfortunately this has led to a large illegal trade in these plants which has seen their numbers decline.