Asplenium - Aspleniaceae

Asplenium gemmiferum Schrad.

Photo: P. Ballings
Mozambique

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Asplenium macrolobium Peter

Common name

Description

Rhizome erect, up to 30 mm thick; rhizome scales 9-14 x 2-3 mm, dark brown, lanceolate in outline, fimbriate, apex gradually tapering to a point. Fronds tufted, arching, proliferous, gemma born towards the apex of the lamina at the base of the apical segment. Stipe up to 30 cm, grey-green, densely clothed with scales at first, becoming subglabrous with age. Lamina up to 1m long and up to 25 cm wide, pinnate, with basal pinnae slightly reduced, terminal pinnae similar to other, lanceolate in outline. Pinnae 6-12 pairs, 10-19 x 2-5.2 cm, alternate, lanceolate to narrow elliptic in outline, subglabrous below, margins regularly crenate, base unequally wedge-shaped, apex gradually tapering to a point. Rhachis matt-grey-green, not winged or narrowly winged in upper half, subglabrous as for stipe. Sori linear, up to 19 mm long, set at 45 degrees to the midrib; indusium linear, entire, membranous, c. 1 mm wide.

Notes

Differs from similar species by having gemmiferous fronds and subentire or crenate margins.

Derivation

gemmiferum: bearing gemma, the fern has plantlets (buds) below the apex of the fronds.

Habitat

Deeply shaded stream banks in evergreen forest.

Distribution worldwide

See African distribution.

Distribution in Africa

Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Dem. Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea (incl. Bioko), Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania , Uganda, Zimbabwe.

Growth form

Epiphytic, lithophytic, terrestrial.

Literature

  • Beentje, H.J. (2008) Aspleniaceae.Flora of Tropical East Africa, Page 18. (Includes a picture).
  • Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 216 - 217. (Includes a picture).
  • Crouch, N.R., Klopper, R.R., Burrows, J.E. & Burrows, S.M. (2011) Ferns of Southern Africa, A comprehensive guide. Struik Nature. Pages 592 - 593. (Includes a picture).
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 335 - 336. (Includes a picture).
  • Roux, J.P. (2009) Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Strelitzia 23, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Page 86.
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 166. (Includes a picture).
  • Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta.Flora Zambesiaca, 0 Page 173.
  • Tardieu-Blot, M.-L. (1964) Ptéridophytes vol.3.Flore du Cameroun, Pages 188 - 189. (Includes a picture).

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