Pityrogramma chrysophylla (Sw.) Link

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Pteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pityrogramma chrysophylla (Sw.) Link

  • Discussion

    Basionym. Acrostichum chrysophyllum Swartz, J. Bot. (Schrader) 1800(2): 14. 1802; R. Ind. Occ. 3: 1598. 1806.

    Type. Swartz (?), from "in submontosis Antillarum" (S). Swartz also cited Plumier, Traite foug. Amer. 33, t. 44, based on a plant presumably from Martinique.

    The typical form of this highly variable species has not been found in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. Instead, there occur two varieties, the commoner of these often confused with P. calomelanos. They can be distinguished as follows:

    a. Blades 2-pinnate to 2-pinnate-pinnatifid; abaxial powder white

    3a. var. gabrielae.

    a. Blades 3-pinnate-pinnatifid to nearly 4-pinnate; abaxial powder bright yellow

    3b. var. subfiexuosa.