Dicranopteris flexuosa (Schrad.) Underw.
-
Authority
Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.
-
Family
Gleicheniaceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Description
Species Description - Rhizomes 2–4 mm diam., with stiff, red-brown hairs that abrade to leave a scabrous surface; stipes very brittle, sharpsplintering, tan to brown, glabrous, dull; frond apices dormant or often continuing, pinnae 0–2 times forked; ultimate branches mostly 10–30 x 2–5 cm, basally often wider due to enlarged, sometimes pinnatifid basiscopic basal segments; ultimate segments linear, mostly 10–25 x 2–5 mm, dilated at base, subcoriaceous, often emarginate at the tip, usually glabrous or glabrescent, green to glaucous abaxially, margins often somewhat revolute, especially in fertile segments, veins immersed; sori medial between midvein and margin; 2n=ca. 156 (Jam).
-
Discussion
Mertensia flexuosa Schrad., Go¨tt. Gel. Anz. 1824: 863. 1824. Gleichenia flexuosa (Schrad.) Mett., Ann. Mus. Bot. Lugduno-Batavum 1: 50. 1863. Type. Brazil. Espirito Santo: Wied-Neuwied s.n. (BR!, photo BM!).
This species is exceedingly close to D. linearis (Burm. f.) Underw. from the Paleotropics, and the two species may prove to be conspecific. In Mexico, Dicranopteris flexuosa is most similar to Gleichenella pectinata, which see, but much less common.
-
Distribution
On dry slopes in open areas of lower Atlantic slopes, sandstones bluffs with oaks; 100–1400 m. USA (Ala, Fla); Mexico; Guat, Bel, Hond, Salv, Nic, CR, Pan; Gr & L Ant; Col, Ven, Trin, Guy, Sur, Fr Gui, Ec, Peru, Braz, Bol, Parag.
Mexico North America| Paraguay South America| Bolivia South America| Brazil South America| Peru South America| Amazonas Ecuador South America| French Guiana French Guiana South America| Suriname South America| Trinidad and Tobago South America| Venezuela South America| Colombia South America| West Indies| Panama Central America| Costa Rica South America| Nicaragua Central America| El Salvador Central America|