Elaphoglossum trichomidiatum Mickel

  • Authority

    Taylor, W. Carl. 1976. Vascular flora of Jonca Creek, Ste Genevieve County, Missouri. Castanea. 41: 93-118.

  • Family

    Dryopteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Elaphoglossum trichomidiatum Mickel

  • Type

    TYPE: BOLIVIA. Cochabamba: Prov. Ayopaya, comunidad Pampa Grande, al inicio del sendero que sube paralelo al Rio Pampa Grande, 16040'S, 66028'W, 2130 m, 17 Sep 2002, Jimenez 1654 (HOLOTYPE: LPB).

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Ab E. eatoniano (E. Britton) C. Chr., E. chloode Mickel et E. vittarioide Mickel squamis petiolaribus aurantiacis longi-ciliatis patentibus differt.

    Species Description - Plants epiphytic; rhizomes compact, ca. 2 mm in diameter, densely scaly, the scales lanceolate, acuminate, lustrous, dark castaneous with orange bases, 2.5-4 x 0.5-0.8 mm, entire or with a few small teeth; phyllopodia distinct, 2-4 mm long, densely scaly, the scales similar to those of the rhizomes but larger, paler, and more strongly toothed; leaves approximate, to 21 x 0.45 cm; petioles 1/10-1/5 the sterile leaf length, brown, densely scaly, the scales lanceolate, long-ciliate, orange, some with variable black streaking, the scale bodies 1-2 x 0.2-0.4 mm; blades linear, coriaceous, apically long- acuminate, basally attenuate, margins revolute on mature leaves, flat on juvenile leaves; veins obscure, hydathodes lacking; blades adaxially glabrous, abaxially densely scaly, the scales lanceolate, long-ciliate, 2-3 x 0.3- 0.6 mm, pale orange, not appressed, costal scales slightly larger and some with limited dark streaking; fertile leaves unknown.

  • Discussion

    (Fig. 1 A-F)

    This species is known from a single, sterile specimen collected in humid montane forest at 2130 m. Its narrowly linear, coriaceous blade with revolute margins indicates a relationship to E. eatonianum (E. Britton) C. Chr., E. chloodes Mickel, and E. vittarioides Mickel, but E. ayopayaense is distinct in having orange, long-ciliate, spreading petiole scales. The other three species all have dark brown to black, entire to short-ciliate, appressed petiole scales (Mickel, 1991). Further, E. eatonianum has smaller, more appressed blade scales and dark costal scales, E. chloodes has leaves 0.8-1 cm wide and matted blade scales, and E. vittarioides has ciliate rhizome scales, short-ciliate blade scales, and black costal scales. This species is named for the Province of Ayopaya, where this and many other interesting ferns have recently been collected.