Asplenium pteropus Kaulf.

  • 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 pteropus Kaulf.

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome erect; rhizome scales clathrate, brown, long-attenuate, 6-9 mm long, 0.3-0.5 mm wide, entire, with twisted tip; fronds pendent, clumped; stipe 1-5 cm long, ca. 1/6 the frond length, stramineous, green or gray-green, glabrous, alate with 0.5-1 mm wide wings; blade once-pinnate with pinnatifid apex, 15-40 cm long, 6-8 cm wide; rachis stramineous, glabrous, alate with 0.5-1 mm wide wing; pinnae ca. 30 or more pairs, each 3-4 cm long, 0.7-1 cm wide, oblong, acuminate, excavate basal lower margin, subauriculate, subfalcate, basal ascending margin straight, not overlapping rachis, margin serrate with rounded teeth, sinuses 1-2 mm deep; veins mostly simple except for basal veins, hydathodes prominent; sori (4-)9-11 pairs (none on basal, forked veins); indusia 1.5-3 mm long, 0.3-0.5 mm wide, entire.

  • Discussion

    Type. Brazil. Chamisso s.n. (B). Asplenium pseuderectum Hieronymus, Hedwigia 60: 239. 1918. Lectotype (chosen by Morton & Lellinger, 1966: 17). Puerto Rico. Sintenis 2637 (B!; isolecto-type US!). The difficulties in separating Asplenium pteropus from A. miradorense and other species are great. We distinguish A. pteropus here by its having its stipe alate to the base, but there is considerable variation in frond form. A revision of this group (with once-pinnate blades, reduced at base, winged rachises, and toothed pinnae) is greatly needed.

  • Distribution

    Epiphyte in wet forests and rarely on wet rocks; Choapan, Ixtlán, Juchitán, Teotitlán; 200-1200 m. Mexico (Ver, Oax, Chis); Guat to CR; WI, Trin; Col & Guy to s Braz.

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