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(3) 蘇鐵蕨
Brainea insignis (Hook.) J. Sm.
烏毛蕨科 (Blechnaceae)
英文名 (English name): Cycad-fern
Status in China: Vulnerable (VU). Wild plant under State protection (category II).
 Description: Large ferns. Stock stout, forming an erect trunk sometimes up to 1 m tall, apex densely covered with subulate shining brown scales. Leaves tufted; stipes 15-30 cm long, densely scaly at base, glabrous above; sterile lamina about 60 cm long and 20 cm wide, simply pinnate; pinnae numerous, alternate or subopposite, linear-lanceolate, the largest about 12 cm long and 1 cm wide, base cordate, apex acuminate, margin finely toothed; veins close, forking once or twice and forming areoles near the midrib; fertile lamina similar to sterile ones, but somewhat reduced, about 8 cm long and 0.4 cm wide, lower surface almost entirely covered with sporangia.
Distribution: Common in Hong Kong. Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Fujian, Taiwan; N India to Indonesia.
Habitat and Ecology: On open hillsides, margin of forests and sometimes in secondary forests.
An attractive fern, at first glance it looks like a plant of Cycad and it is very suitable for cultivation as bonsai. Outside Hong Kong, the species is under threats because of destruction of the habitats and over-collection for cultivation as ornamentals. In Hong Kong, it is distributed in various locations and the populations are not under any particular threat.
References:
吳兆洪， 1990: 中國植物誌 4（2）: 197，圖版 34。科學出版社，北京。
Edie, H. H., 1977: Ferns of Hong Kong, 172. Hong Kong Univ. Press, Hong Kong.
So, M.L., 1994: Hong Kong Ferns, 29. The Urban Council, Hong Kong.
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