Hymenophyllum - Hymenophyllaceae

Hymenophyllum aeruginosum (Poir.) Carmich.

Photo: JE. Burrows
South Africa

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Trichomanes aeruginosum Poir.
Sphaerocionium aeruginosum (Poir.) Pic.Serm.
Hymenophyllum marlothii Brause

Common name

Description

Rhizome widely creeping, filiform, branched, lightly set in rust-coloured, simple hairs. Stipe 0.5-4 cm long, not winged, sparsely set with brown, stalked, stellate hairs. Lamina narrowly ovate to deltate in outline, 2-7 x 2.2-3.5 cm, 2-pinnate to 4-pinnatifid, basal pair of pinnae usually the largest. Pinnae somewhat ascending and basiscopically developed; ultimate lobes linear in outline, apex rounded, margin and veins covered with stalked, stellate hairs. Rhachis winged except for a section between the 2 basal pairs of pinnae. Sori rarely produced, borne at the tip of each lobe in the distal region of the frond, soral valves pilose.

Notes

Derivation

aeruginosus: coloured a deep green with a mixture of blue; referring to the particular

Habitat

Under deeply shaded rock overhangs, usually in forest next to stream, waterfall or drip line.

Distribution worldwide

Amsterdam Isl., Gough Isl., Inaccessible Isl., Nightingale Isl., Tristan da Cunha, South Africa.

Distribution in Africa

South Africa.

Growth form

Epiphytic, lithophytic.

Literature

  • Burrows, J.E. (1990) Southern African Ferns and Fern Allies. Frandsen, Sandton. Pages 98 - 99. (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 166 - 167. (Includes a picture).
  • Jacobsen, W.B.G. (1983) The Ferns and Fern Allies of Southern Africa. Butterworths, Durban and Pretoria. Pages 192 - 193. (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 43.

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