Asplenium - Aspleniaceae

Asplenium pellucidum Lam. ssp. pseudohorridum (Hieron.) Schelpe

Photo: JE. Burrows
Zimbabwe

Photo: JE. Burrows
Zimbabwe

Photo: P. Ballings
Zimbabwe

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Asplenium protensum Schrad. var. pseudohorridum Hieron.
Asplenium pseudohorridum (Hieron.) Hieron.

Common name

Description

Rhizome erect to suberect, up to 10 mm diameter; rhizome scales brown, subulate, apex tapering to a point, subentire, up to 12 mm long. Fronds tufted, arching, thinly coriaceous, not proliferous. Stipe matt-brown, up to 18 cm; stipe and rhachis densely covered with hair-like scales up to 8 mm long. Lamina 22-100 x 9-25 cm, pinnate to deeply 2-pinnatifid, lanceolate in outline, basal pinnae reduced, apical ones decrescent. Pinnae 20-36 pairs, 5-8.5 x 0.8-1.7 cm, opposite or alternate, subglabrous, lanceolate in outline, base unequal, apex tapering to a point, shallowly incised into crenate lobes. Sori linear, 4-6 mm long, lying almost parallel to the costa; indusium linear, membranous, entire, 0.8 mm wide.

Notes

Similar to A. protensum but A. pellucidum is not proliferous. Differs from A. friesiorum by having an erect to suberect rhizome. The rhachis and stipe of A. pellucidum are also densely set with dark scales.

Derivation

pellucidum: through which light passes, transparent; reference unclear.
pseudohorridum: rough, bristle; alluding to the scaly stipe and rhachis.

Habitat

Deeply shaded moist forest.

Distribution worldwide

See African distribution.

Distribution in Africa

Mozambique, Tanzania , Zimbabwe.

Growth form

Epiphytic, lithophytic.

Literature

  • Beentje, H.J. (2008) Aspleniaceae.Flora of Tropical East Africa, Pages 26 - 27. (Includes a picture).
  • Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 230 - 232. (Includes a picture).
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 355 - 356. (Includes a picture).
  • Roux, J.P. (2001) Conspectus of Southern African Pteridophyta.Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report, 13 Page 168.
  • 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 93.
  • Schelpe, E.A.C.L.E. (1970) Pteridophyta.Flora Zambesiaca, 0 Page 179.
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