About Schizaea dichotoma (L.) Sm.
Schizaea dichotoma, commonly known as the branched comb fern, is a species of fern in the family Schizaeaceae. It is a small, low-growing plant that typically reaches 20 to 40 cm in height. It most often grows in an upright habit, with up to 20 segments that branch two or more times, a branching pattern described as dichotomous. Its specific epithet dichotoma comes from Greek, meaning "twice cut", which refers to the branched structure of its fronds. This species usually grows in open forest or heath habitats, and is often found on sandy soils. It is native to southern and southeast Asia ranging from India eastwards, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Malesia, and Pacific islands. Unusually for a fern, it is reported to be a saprophyte that is supported by a symbiotic fungal partner. This plant was first published in scientific literature in 1753 under the name Acrostichum dichotomum, by Carl Linnaeus in his work Species Plantarum.
