Asplenium pumilum Sw.

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Aspleniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Asplenium pumilum Sw.

  • Description

    Species Description - Roots thin, fibrous, not proliferous; rhizomes erect; rhizome scales black, clathrate, 1–2 x 0.1–0.3 mm, entire; fronds clumped, 3–20 cm long; stipes castaneous to atropurpureous and sublustrous proximally, greenish or stramineous and dull distally, (3–) 5–15 cm x 0.4–1 mm, 1/2–3/4 of frond length, with scattered to dense, white catenate hairs 0.5–0.8 mm long, not winged; blades membranaceous, deltate to pentagonal, mostly (3–)6–12 x 3–13 cm, pinnate-pinnatifid proximally, apices pinnatifid, not proliferous; rachises green to stramineous, with catenate hairs 0.5–0.8 mm long and greenish ridges or narrow wings 0.1–0.2 mm wide; pinnae deltate, 1–3(–6) pairs, 1–8 x 0.5–4.5 cm, basal pair largest, greatly exaggerated basiscopically, sessile to stalked to 5 mm, lobed at bases, lobes sometimes nearly free, apices longacuminate, margins crenate-serrate; veins mostly 1–3-forked, evident throughout their length on both sides; indument of both blade surfaces, margins, and veins of whitish catenate hairs 0.3– 0.8 mm; sori 5–20 on the larger pinnae; indusia 3–9 x 0.5–0.8 mm, margins ciliate; spores reniform; 2n=72 (Jam).

  • Discussion

    Type. Jamaica. Swartz s.n. (S, photo US!; isotype UPS-THUNB 24835).

    Asplenium anthriscifolium Jacq., Collectanea 2: 103, t. 2., f. 3-4. 1789. Type. Martinique. Jacquin s.n. (W, frag. BR, photo US!).

    Athyrium verapax Christ, Bull. Herb. Boissier, se´r. 2, 6: 296. 1906. Asplenium leucothrix Maxon, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 43: 85. 1930. Type. Guatemala. Alta Verapaz: Cubilguitz, Tu¨rckheim s.n. [Donn. Sm. 8818] (P; isotype US!; frag. NY!).

    Asplenium pumilum is closely related to A. minimum, differing by the generally smaller fronds, thinner blade texture, and whitish-hairy blades; the two species agree in having the proximal pinnae more developed basiscopically. A few mixed collections of the two species are known, e.g., Herna´ndez G. 891 (CHAPA). Occasional specimens of A. pumilum are completely glabrous, e.g., Mexia 1182 (MO, UC, US), from Jalisco. Relationships of this species group within Asplenium are uncertain.

  • Distribution

    Terrestrial and epipetric; 50–1600 m. USA (Fla); Mexico; Guat, Bel, Hond, Salv, Nic, CR, Pan (Cornman 574, UC); Gr & L Ant; Col, Ven, Trin, Ec, Galapagos, Peru, Braz,Bol, nw Arg; Africa.

    Africa| Argentina South America| Bolivia South America| Brazil South America| Peru South America| Galápagos Islands Ecuador South America| Ecuador South America| Trinidad and Tobago South America| Venezuela South America| West Indies| Panama Central America| Costa Rica South America| Nicaragua Central America| El Salvador Central America| Honduras Central America| Belize Central America| Guatemala Central America| México Mexico North America| Florida United States of America North America|