Gleichenia rubiginosa Mett.

  • Authority

    Proctor, George R. 1989. Ferns of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 53: 1-389.

  • Family

    Gleicheniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Gleichenia rubiginosa Mett.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome 2-3 mm thick, dark brown, bearing (especially toward apex) rather many stiff, glossy dark brown, deltate-attenuate, ciliate scales mostly 1-1.5 mm long. Primary frond axis 1.3-3 mm thick, lustrous dark brown, naked or bearing a few scattered scales like those of rhizome. Primary lateral branches one to several pairs, with short secondary axes sometimes developed. Ultimate pinnae 11-25 cm long, 2-5 cm broad; segments numerous, linear from a slightly expanded noticeably glaucous beneath, with numerous spreading, purple-brown, cihate scales conspicuous along abaxial sides of the costae; scattered similar but much smaller scales along costules, the tissue surface essentially glabrous. Veins mostly 1-forked at or near base, rarely 2-forked; margins usually narrowly revolute.

  • Discussion

    Type. Lindig 71. from Colombia (B, photo U S; isotype P, photo US).

    Syn. Dicranopteris rubiginosa (Mettenius) Maxon, Contr. U.S. Natl. Herb. 24: 50. 1922.

    Sticherus rubiginosa (Mettenius) Nakai, Bull. Natl. Sci. Mus. no. 29: 28. 1950

  • Distribution

    General Distribution. Puerto Rico and montane regions of northwestem South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru).

    Puerto Rico South America| Venezuela South America| Colombia South America| Ecuador South America| Peru South America|