Alsophila scandens is a climbing epiphytic tree fern! Plants begin as free-standing, but then later adhere to nearby trees by their root mantle. In the Sibium mountains of Papua New Guinea where this individual was collected, I saw plants climbing up to 6m into the canopy.

 

Collection Data (S. A. James & M. Sundue 1612)

Classification & Common Names

General Collection Data
Additional Comments

Small tree fern, trunk 2 cm diam. Plants begin growth free-standing, but then later adhere to nearby trees, climbing them attached by a root mantle. Plants seen climbing to 6m. Leaves 2-pinnate, rachis blackish, usually with 5 pinnae and a terminal confrom pinna, pinnae with 6-10 pinnules.

Collection Location