Hymenophyllum - Hymenophyllaceae

Hymenophyllum peltatum (Poir.) Desv.

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Trichomanes peltatum Poir.

Common name

Description

Rhizome creeping, thin, glabrous or nearly so. Fronds spaced 15 cm apart, erect. Stipe 7–30 mm long, glabrous, not winged or winged near apex. Lamina 2-pinnatifid, narrowly lanceolate-oblong in outline, 2.5–20 x 1–2.1 cm; pinnae strongly developed acroscopically, angled forward, basal pinnae usually reduced; ultimate segments linear in outline, apices rounded, margin serrate, to 1.3 mm wide, glabrous on both surfaces. Sori usually 1 per pinna, on the innermost acroscopic lobe, 1.8–2 mm long, 1.5–1.7 mm in diameter; soral valves entire, glabrous.

Notes

Derivation

peltatum: petiole arising from the centre of the leaf; unclear reference to this fern.

Habitat

Moist forest, dense giant heath forest, wet vertical montane rock faces under overhangs.

Distribution worldwide

Africa, Madagascar, widespread in temperate zones.

Distribution in Africa

Dem. Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania , Uganda.

Growth form

Epiphytic, lithophytic.

Literature

  • Beentje, H.J. (2008) Hymenophyllaceae. Flora of Tropical East Africa, Pages 6 - 8. (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 164 - 165. (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 46.

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