Actinostachys

• Authority

  Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

• Family

  Schizaeaceae

• Scientific Name

  Actinostachys

• Description

  Genus Description - Terrestrial; rhizomes erect, bearing hairs; fronds upright, unbranched, nearly triangular in cross section, the sterile ones pointed, the fertile ones tipped with 2 to many erect to spreading terminal rays that bear sporangia in 2–4 rows; sporangia in two rows on each fertile segment, sporangia erect, oblong with terminal annuli; spores bilateral, verruculate or striate; gametophytes subterranean, not green, tuber-like, brown-hairy; x = 134, 140, 168.

• Discussion

  Type: Actinostachys digitata (L.) Wall. [Acrostichum digitatum L.] Actinostachys is a genus of about 20 species (one in Mexico), nearly worldwide in tropical regions. It is related to Anemia and Lygodium, but most closely to Schizaea, with which it is sometimes combined (e.g., Tryon & Tryon, 1982).