Blechnaceae

Blechnum L.

Photo: BT. Wursten
Mozambique

 

Description of the genus

Rhizome with brown scales; lamina 1-pinnatifid or 1-pinnate. Fronds strongly dimorphic with fertile and sterile fronds; the fertile overtopping the sterile. Veins free in sterile fronds. Sori extending ± the full length of the fertile pinnae, linear; indusium linear.

 

Derivation of name:  blechnon: a fern

Worldwide: 150 - 200 species, worldwide, but concentrated in the southern hemisphere

 

Key to the species of Blechnum: PDF

 

We have 11 taxa in the database for Blechnum.

  • Blechnum attenuatum (Sw.) Mett.
  • Blechnum australe L. ssp. australe
  • Blechnum capense Burm. f.
  • Blechnum inflexum (Kunze) Kuhn
  • Blechnum ivohibense C. Chr.
  • Blechnum punctulatum Sw. var. krebsii (Kunze) Sim.
  • Blechnum punctulatum Sw. var. punctulatum
  • Blechnum punctulatum Sw. var. atherstonei (Pappe & Rawson) Sim
  • Blechnum punctulatum Sw. var. intermedium Sim.
  • Blechnum spicant (L.) Roth
  • Blechnum tabulare (Thunb.) Kuhn
    •

     

    Literature

  • Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011) Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature.
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria.
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13: 1-222.
  • Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta.Flora Zambesiaca, 0: 1-254.

    •