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Volume I (1961) - Flora of New Zealand Indigenous Tracheophyta - Psilopsida, Lycopsida, Filicopsida, Gymnospermae, Dicotyledons
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Cyathea Sm.

CYATHEA J. E. Smith, 1793

Characters as given above. As here treated includes Cyathea sens. strict.  (indusium complete, covering sorus when young, persisting as a ± split cup surrounding sorus), Hemitelia R. Br. 1810 (indusium incomplete, not covering sorus when young, at most half surrounding sorus), Alsophila R. Br. 1810 (indusium absent). The family is likely to be again split up on different lines.

Key

1
Caudex prostrate and rooting, ascending at tip; indusium absent
7. colensoi
Caudex erect, forming a trunk; indusium us. Evident
2
2
Mature fronds white to glaucescent below
1. dealbata
Mature fronds green below
3
3
Lamina membr., soft; paleae at base of stipes chestnut-brown or paler, shining, lanceolate-subulate; indusium semi-circular to vestigial
6. smithii
Lamina subcoriac. to coriac., firm; paleae dark, linear; indusium complete
4
4
Plant occurring on Kermadec Is
5
Plant occurring on main islands
6
5
Caudex stout; bases of stipites persistent; rhachides and costae slightly grooved; lamina segs 10-15 mm. long
4. milnei
Caudex slender; bases of stipites not persistent; rhachides and costae deeply grooved; lamina segs 8-9 mm. long
5. kermadecensis
6
Lamina coriac.; stipes almost black, strongly tuberculate, not clad in yellowish hairs
2. medullaris
Lamina submembr.; stipes paler, only slightly tuberculate; ± clad in yellowish hairs
3. cunninghamii

The Kermadec spp. have been closely studied by Oliver (T.N.Z.I. 42, 1910, 157-158) and I follow his descriptions.

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