Coarse tassel fern

Description

Phlegmariurus phlegmaria, synonym Huperzia phlegmaria, commonly known as either coarse tassel fern or common tassel fern, is an epiphytic species native to rainforests in Madagascar, some islands in the Indian Ocean, Asia, Australasia and many Pacific Islands. Phlegmariurus phlegmaria is commonly found in moist forests and rainforests at high altitudes, in and amongst mosses and other epiphytes. Members of the order Lycopodiales are commonly referred to as clubmosses. A vascular species of lycophyte, Phlegmariurus phlegmaria resembles many species of moss. The specialised fluid-conducting tissues of vascular plants distinguish lycophytes from the more basal bryophytes (mosses and liverworts). The diploid sporophyte stage of the life cycle of lycophytes is dominant. Sporophytes produce tetrahedral spores of 37 × 35 μm, off-white in colour, with angles never exceeding 130°. Phlegmariurus phlegmaria is a variable species and plants from different regions can vary widely in stature. They can be identified by having petiolate sterile microphylls and small fertile microphylls on thin branching strobili. Individuals of Phlegmariurus phlegmaria have true root systems. Their elongated aerial stems hang from host trees (up to 80 cm long). The spirally arranged leaves are lanceolate (lance like), narrow and rounded at the base. They become even narrower at the extreme base, where the sporangia are located in the fertile zone of the stem. Leaves of Phlegmariurus phlegmaria are coriaceous (resemble leather). The leaves differ in morphology in the fertile zone, making distinction between the zones easy. Leaves in the fertile zone are known as sporophylls. Sporophylls are club shaped - hence the common name "clubmoss". Homosporous spores are produced in axils.