Asplenium polyphyllum Bertol.

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Beitel, Joseph M. 1988. Pteridophyte Flora of Oaxaca, Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 46: 1-580.

  • Family

    Aspleniaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Asplenium polyphyllum Bertol.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome ascending; rhizome scales clathrate, black, long-attenuate, 4-6 mm long, 0.8-1 mm wide, not occluded, not bicolorous; fronds clumped; stipe (0.9-)2.5-4 cm long, reddish-brown to light brown, lustrous, with scattered hairlike clathrate scales (1-2 mm) at base; blade once-pinnate, linear, (9-)20-50 cm long, 1.5-2.5 cm wide, apex pinnatifid, proliferous bud subterminal (several pinnae back from apex); rachis light brown, lustrous, with rare to sparse 0.3 mm clavate hairs, rachis wings 0.1-0.3 mm wide, papillate; pinnae 50-80 pairs, articulate, with rachis color extending onto pinna stalks, oblong, 8-10(-22) mm long, 4-6 mm wide, crenate; veins simple, hydathodes prominent; sori (1-)2-3 pairs; indusia 1.5-2.5 mm long, 1 mm wide, subentire.

  • Discussion

    Asplenium polymeris Moore, Index fil. 154. 1859. Asplenium bertolonii Donnell-Smith, Enum. pl. quatem. 4: 189. 1895, nom. illeg. Type. Guatemala. Volcán Agua, Velasquezius s.n. (presumably BOLO). Asplenium trichomanes Linnaeus var. viridissimum Christ, Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belgique 35(1): 195. 1896. Asplenium viridissimum Bommer ex Christ, Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belgique 35(1): 195. 1896, nom. nud. in syn. Type. Costa Rica. Volcán Barba, 1890, Tonduz (Pittier 1937) (BR, photo BM). The clathrate, non-occluded, rhizome scales and castaneous rachis distinguish Asplenium polyphyllum from A. monanthes. Asplenium polyphyllum is similar to A. castaneum except that that taxon has more-rounded pinnae, erose indusia and lacks proliferous buds.

  • Distribution

    Terrestrial in cloud forests; Centro, Ixtlán, Mixe; (2000-)2450-3050 m. Mexico (DF, Gro, Oax, Chis); Guat to Pan.

    Mexico North America| Panama Central America| Guatemala Central America|