Monographs Details:
Authority:
Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.
Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.
Family:
Ophioglossaceae
Ophioglossaceae
Description:
Species Description - Stems erect, cylindrical, 1-1.5 cm diam., with one to several leaves per stem; roots dichotomously branched; fronds pendent or spreading, 12-100 cm long, common stalk 5-50 cm long; sterile blades 4-50 x 4-30 cm, deeply palmately lobed, bases cuneate, the lobes long, mostly 1-2.5 cm wide, acute to obtuse at tips; venation reticulate, with included free veinlets; fertile spikes (1-)2-10(-16) per frond, 1-9 cm long, on adaxial side of blade bases, on short stalks to 6 cm long; juvenile plants with simple, linear-oblong leaves, and, if fertile, one central fertile spike.
Species Description - Stems erect, cylindrical, 1-1.5 cm diam., with one to several leaves per stem; roots dichotomously branched; fronds pendent or spreading, 12-100 cm long, common stalk 5-50 cm long; sterile blades 4-50 x 4-30 cm, deeply palmately lobed, bases cuneate, the lobes long, mostly 1-2.5 cm wide, acute to obtuse at tips; venation reticulate, with included free veinlets; fertile spikes (1-)2-10(-16) per frond, 1-9 cm long, on adaxial side of blade bases, on short stalks to 6 cm long; juvenile plants with simple, linear-oblong leaves, and, if fertile, one central fertile spike.
Discussion:
Cheiroglossa palmata (L.) C. Presl, Suppl. Tent. Pterid. 57. 1845. Ophioderma palmata (L.) Nakai, Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 39: 193. 1925. Type. Plumier, Traite´ Foug. Ame´r., pl. 163. 1705, illustrating a plant from Hispaniola.
The large divided blades and epiphytic habit readily distinguish this species.