Gleichenia bifida (Willd.) Spreng.

  • 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 bifida (Willd.) Spreng.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome 3-4 mm thick, reddish-brown, bearing narrow, attenuate, short-ciliate scales 1.5-2 mm long especially near the apex. Primary frond axis 1.5-4 mm thick, bearing a few pale brown, ciliate, deciduous scales; similar scales occurring abundantly on all the main vascular parts of the blade beneath. Primary lateral branches two to several pairs, each branch 1 - to 2-forked, a secondary axis seldom developed. Ultimate pinnae 25-50 cm long, 3-7 cm broad, often arcuate; segments numerous, linear from a dilatate base, densely woolly beneath with light rusty-brown tomentum; veins once-forked at base.

  • Discussion

    Fig. 23.

    Basionym. Mertensia bifida Willdenow, Kungl. Vetensk. Acad. Handl. 25: 168. 1804, Type, Bredemeyer, from nr. Caracas, Venezuela (Herb. Willd. 19468, B).

    Syn. Mertensia fulva Desvaux, Mem. Soc. Linn. Paris 6: 201. 1827. (Type. Ex Herb. Desvaux, from Jamaica, P.)

    Gleichenia pubescens of ]Qnman, Bull. Bot. Dept. Jamaica n.s. 5: 274. 1898, not Mertensia pubescens Humboldt & Bonpland ex Willdenow, 1810.

    Dicranopteris fulva (Desvaux) Underw., Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 34: 253. 1907.

    Dicranopteris bifida (Willdenow) Maxon, N. Amer. Fl. 16: 60. 1909.

    Sticherus bifidus (Willdenow) Ching, Sunyatsenia 5:282, 1940.

    A n apparent hybrid, Gleichenia bifida x rubiginosa, has been collected on upper slopes of Cerro de Punta at about 1300 m elevation (Proctor 41251, SJ, 17 Jul 1985). At this locality both the presumed parent species are c o m m o n and grow together. The specimen has the characteristic costal scales of G. rubiginosa combined with a fine abaxial covering of tomentum; the abaxial tissue is not glaucous.

  • Distribution

    General Distribution. Greater and Lesser Antilles,

    West Indies| Mexico North America| Central America| Peru South America| Ecuador South America| Colombia South America| Venezuela South America| Guyana South America| Suriname South America| French Guiana South America| Brazil South America| Bolivia South America|