Schizaea bifida
Schizaea bifida Willd.
Schizaea bifida, commonly known as the forked comb fern, is a fern species native to eastern and southern Australia, as well as New Zealand and New Caledonia. It is a low-growing plant, typically 10 to 35 cm tall, and is found in coastal heathland and eucalyptus woodland in New South Wales. The species name 'bifida' refers to its split or divided structure, and the genus name Schizaea is derived from the Greek word meaning 'to cleave or split'.
Description
Schizaea bifida belongs to the Schizaeaceae family and is distributed across New Caledonia, New South Wales, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria. It was first described in 1802 by Willd. The plant is characterized by its low growth and is commonly found in coastal habitats. The name reflects the fern's morphology, with 'bifida' indicating its two-lobed or split appearance.
Distribution
New Caledonia · New South Wales · New Zealand North · New Zealand South · Queensland · South Australia · Tasmania · Victoria
Synonyms
Acrostichum bifidumSchizaea asperula