Gleicheniaceae
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Forking fern family
Gleicheniaceae
コシダ科
An ancient fern lineage characterized by pseudodichotomous branching, in which the apex undergoes temporary dormancy and repeatedly forks. About 125 species distributed from the tropics to temperate regions; in Japan, Dicranopteris forms colonies on sunny slopes in warm areas.
Key Characteristics
- ●Indeterminate frond growth through pseudodichotomous branching
- ●Sori exindusiate (without indusia), arranged in rows on the abaxial surface
- ●Pioneer plants forming large colonies on disturbed and landslide sites
- ●Homosporous
Phylogenetic Position
Vascular plants > Polypodiophyta > Polypodiopsida > Gleicheniales > Gleicheniaceae
Divergence Era
Triassic to Jurassic (approx. 200 million years ago onward)
Representative Genera
コシダ属（Dicranopteris）ウラジロ属（Gleichenia）
Related Evolution Events
- ・Establishment of an indeterminate growth strategy through pseudodichotomous branching
- ・Light competition strategy as pioneer plants (formation of dense colonies)
Plants in Forking fern family on this site
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