Osmunda regalis L.

Caption:

Details

Name scientific

Osmunda regalis L., Sp. Pl. 1065 (1753)

Preferred name

Osmunda regalis L.

Taxonomy reference

Brownsey, P.J.; Given, D.R.; Lovis, J.D. 1985: A revised classification of New Zealand pteridophytes with a synonymic checklist of species. New Zealand Journal of Botany 23(3): 431–489.

Linked name

Osmunda regalis L. 1753

Biostatus

Origin

Occurrence

Georegion

Schema

Biostatus source

Comment

Exotic

Wild

New Zealand

Political Region

Nomenclature

Authors

Original authors

Publication place

Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.

Year published

1753

Publication page

1065

Nomenclatural code

ICN

Basionym

Osmunda regalis L.

Taxonomic rank

species

Canonical form

Osmunda regalis

Etymology

Derivation uncertain. From the Latin regalis (royal), a possible reference to the majestic quality of this fern in Europe. Alternatively Osmunda regalis may have been named after King Osmund who reigned over the South Saxons about 785 AD (Burrows 1990).

Typification

Lectotype (selected by Jonsell & Jarvis in Jarvis et al. 1993): Herb. Burser XX: 26, UPS

Jarvis, C.E.; Barrie, F.R.; Allan, D.M.; Reveal, J.L. (ed.) 1993: A list of Linnaean generic names and their types. Regnum Vegetabile. Vol. 127.

Classification

Kingdom

Plantae

Phylum

Tracheophyta

Class

Polypodiopsida

Order

Osmundales

Family

Osmundaceae

Genus

Osmunda

Species

regalis

Vernacular names

Language of use: English

royal fern

Descriptions

Webb, C.J.; Sykes, W.R.; Garnock-Jones, P.J. 1988: Flora of New Zealand. Vol. IV. Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons. Botany Division DSIR, Christchurch.

Osmunda regalis L.

Description

Rhizomes forming thick erect trunks to 150 cm tall. Fronds 30-300 × 20-75 cm, ovate, 2-pinnate, glabrous except when very young, dimorphic with the outer ones sterile and inner fertile. Fertile fronds bearing sterile pinnae at base and much reduced fertile pinnae at apex. Sterile secondary pinnae in up to 15 pairs, 2-7 × 0.8-1.8 cm, narrowly oblong, obtuse, ± truncate at base, often with a rounded lobe on one side. Fertile secondary pinnae to 3 × 0.4 cm, densely covered with clusters of sporangia.