Blechnum wardiae Mickel & Beitel

  • Authority

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

  • Family

    Blechnaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Blechnum wardiae Mickel & Beitel

  • Description

    Latin Diagnosis - Statura magna, pinnis laminae basin versus in lobulos semicirculares reductis et rhizomatis squamis magnis notabilis. (Dedicated to Joann Ward, who first noted the distinctness of this species.)

    Species Description - Rhizome erect, trunklike, to 30 cm tall; rhizome scales 10-20 mm long, 2-4 mm wide, brown, concolorous, lanceolate, margin entire; fronds dimorphic, clumped; stipe 1-4 cm long, reddish-brown, papillate; sterile blade 40-80 cm long, 12-15 cm wide, pinnatifid, gradually reduced at base to semicircular lobes, basal pinnae contiguous, apex tapering gradually; rachis grooved, papillate; pinnae adnate, slightly falcate, medial pinnae acute, basal pinnae and lobes rounded, sterile pinnae glabrous adaxially and abaxially, fertile pinnae (7-9.5 cm long, 1-1.5 mm wide) equal to or longer than sterile pinnae (5.5-8 cm long, 12-15 mm wide); veins mostly forked, with enlarged vein endings on upper surface; margin entire; indusia 1 mm wide, entire.

  • Discussion

    Type. Mexico. Oaxaca: Dist. Ixtlán, 8 km S of Vista Hermosa, 70 km N of Ixtlán de Juárez on Rte 175, dripping rock cliffs by waterfall, 5600' [1700 m], 23 Sep 1972, Mickel 6749 (NY!). Distinctive in its combination of relatively large size (sterile frond 12-15 cm wide, pinnae 5.5-8 cm long, blade 48-80 cm long), gradual reduction of the basal pinnae to semicircular lobes that run to the base of the frond and relatively large rhizome scales (10-20 mm long), Blechnum wardiae resembles an intermediate between B. divergens and B. stoloniferum, and occurs only where the ranges of these two species overlap (S Mexico). It has the large frond (but not quite as large) of B. divergens as well as its larger rhizome scales. The gradually reduced pinnae of B. stoloniferum and short stipe are evident. Its elevation range (1500-2050 m) is also intermediate between B. divergens (1150-1300 m) and B. stoloniferum (2000-2700 m). Its spores appear normal, so it may be an allopolyploid hybrid.

  • Distribution

    Terrestrial in wet forests; Ixtlán, Villa Alta; 1700-2050 m; Mexico (Ver: Ventura A. 7418 (NY), 1500 m; Chis: Breedlove 49315 (NY), 1700 m). Oaxaca collections: 4262, 5578, 6749; Hallberg 1542 (NY).

    Mexico North America|