About Gymnosphaera capensis (L.fil.) S.Y.Dong
Both subspecies of Gymnosphaera capensis share a slender, erect trunk. The trunk reaches up to 4.5 metres (15 ft) tall on average, and may occasionally reach 6 metres (20 ft), with a diameter of roughly 15 cm. The tripinnate fronds of this species measure 2–3 m in length and grow from long stalks called stipes. The rachis, or main leaf stem, is smooth to slightly warty, and covered in scales that range in color from tan to brown or dark brown. The frond stalks are covered with dark brown or black scales. The smallest leaflets, called pinnae, have serrated, toothed margins. The lowest pinnae may be spaced apart from other pinnae along the rachis, forming a clump around the plant's crown that resembles the "wig" found in Gymnosphaera baileyana. This moss-like tuft of small, reduced leaves is a distinctive trait of Gymnosphaera capensis, and can be used to identify the species throughout its range. Sori form in two rows, one row on each side of the pinnule midvein, and are covered by scale-like indusia. This fern is the only member of the family Cyatheaceae that is native to both Africa and the Americas. The species is split into two subspecies. Gymnosphaera capensis ssp. capensis is native to the Old World tropics of Africa, where it occurs in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Eswatini (Swaziland), Zimbabwe, and South Africa, ranging from the Western Cape province to KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. It grows in cool, shady, moist forests, alongside rivers and near waterfalls, and occurs at elevations between 360 and 1,820 metres (1,180–5,970 ft). The species' specific epithet capensis refers to the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, the location where the type specimen was collected. Gymnosphaera capensis subsp. polypodioides is native to the New World tropics of South America. It is endemic to montane Atlantic Forest habitats in southeastern Brazil, where it grows at elevations of 900–2,000 metres (3,000–6,600 ft). Gymnosphaera capensis is cultivated as an ornamental plant. It is relatively easy to cultivate when given a semi-shady, moist, sheltered growing environment, and it can likely tolerate several degrees of frost.
